Crime & Safety
Belleville Driver Who Killed Verona Mom Gets 10 Years In Jail
Megan Villanella was 7-months pregnant when a car jumped the curb at a bus stop and killed her in Essex County, prosecutors said.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Megan Villanella was a “remarkable woman taken far too soon.” And no amount of prison time will compensate for the 34-year-old pregnant mother’s sudden death in 2017, prosecutors say.
On Monday, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Anthony Casale, 27, of Belleville, has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey state prison for striking and killing Megan E. Villanella, 34, of Verona, and critically injuring her brother with his car on March 3, 2017.
Villanella, who had a 2-year-old daughter, was seven-months pregnant at the time of her death, prosecutors said.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Casale was originally charged with first-degree death by auto and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia. He was issued traffic summonses for driving while under the influence, driving while under the influence within 1,000 feet of a school, careless driving, reckless driving and failure to maintain his lane, authorities said.
- See related article: Belleville Man Charged With Killing Verona Woman, Injuring Her Brother
Casale entered a guilty plea on Jan. 25 to second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree causing serious bodily injury while violating a law to protect public health and safety.
Find out what's happening in Belleville-Nutleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Prosecutors previously said the deadly crash took place around 7:45 a.m. when Villanella and her sibling were standing at a bus stop in Verona at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue, waiting for a bus to take them to New York City where they both worked.
Casale’s 2006 Mitsubishi jumped the curb and hit the two, killing Villanella and seriously injuring her brother. Villanella was pronounced dead on the scene, authorities said.
On April 12, a superior court judge sentenced Casale to 10 years in state prison, consistent with his plea agreement.
“The statements from the family make it clear that this was a tremendous loss not only to them but to everyone who knew Megan,” said Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who handled the case.
“She was a remarkable woman who was taken far too soon,” Pollack said.
Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
