Children Of Ocean Gate Officer Killed By Drunk Driver Awarded $10.1 Million

TOMS RIVER – An Ocean County jury has awarded the children of Ocean Gate Police Officer Jason Marles $10.1 million police in a civil trial filed against the drunk driver who killed their father in a horrific crash early Thanksgiving morning in 2010, according to app.com.

“We are gratified that the jury recognized the devastating loss suffered by the Marles family, although, unfortunately, nothing can bring Jason back,’’ said William V. Kelly, one of the attorneys for the estate.

Erick P. Uzcategui, 36, of Manchester was convicted of vehicular homicide in 2014 and is serving an eight-year sentence in a South Jersey prison.

Marles had volunteered for a drunk driving enforcement shift early that morning. When his shift was over, he headed north on the Garden State Parkway. Uzcategui was headed north behind Marles, in a loaner BMW. He told authorities after his arrest he had used cocaine and had four or five drinks before he got on the parkway.

Uzcategui’s BMW struck Marles’ Jeep Cherokee, which sent it careening into a guardrail. The Jeep then overturned and burst into flames. Marles was killed instantly.

The money will be held in trust for Marles’ two children, who were ages 4 and 5 when their father was killed, and are now 9 and 11.

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