Mandatory Prison In Fatal Hit-And-Runs Aim Of Bill Honoring Brick Teen

A bill honoring Jackson Mueller, who was killed on his way to Brick Memorial in May, also would allow 17-year-olds to face adult charges.

By Karen Wall, Patch Staff

Nov 12, 2026 12:20 PM EST

Jackson Mueller died May 19 when he was hit by a vehicle as he crossed Lanes Mill Road on his bicycle on his way to Brick Memorial. The driver, another teen, fled the scene and was arrested later. (Karen Wall/Patch)

BRICK, NJ — Drivers who leave the scene of a crash that kills someone would face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison under a bill that aims to honor the memory of a Brick Township teen who was killed in a hit-and-run crash in May.

The bill, named Jackson's Law for Jackson Mueller, also would allow prosecutors to seek to have a fatal hit-and-run case moved to adult court when the driver is under 18 years old.

The bill, A5690, was introduced in the New Jersey Assembly Oct. 19 by 10th District Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin, who represents Brick, along with Assemblyman Robert Clifton of the 12th District. A companion bill, S4804, was introduced in the state Senate by Sen. James Holzapfel of the 10th District.

The bill has been a goal of Jackson's family since shortly after he was killed as he crossed Lanes Mill Road shortly before 7 a.m. on May 19 as he was headed to school at Brick Memorial.

The 17-year-old who was driving the 2021 BMW that hit Jackson as he crossed in the crosswalk at Rhode Island Avenue was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death. Because the driver was 17, authorities never released his identity and the charge was handled within the juvenile portion of the justice system.

That factor has angered Jackson's family and friends, who believe the driver should have faced charges in adult court because he left the scene.

Under existing laws, a person under the age of 18 facing charges that would be equivalent to adult felonies remains in the juvenile justice system unless they agree to be tried as adults.

The bill introduced Oct. 19 would allow prosecutors to seek to try a juvenile as an adult in fatal hit-and-runs whether the juvenile agrees or not.

The Facebook group Justice for Jackson Mueller shared the news of the bill's introduction, saying, "No family should ever be left without answers the way the Muellers were."

"This is a big step, and it happened because this community refused to let Jackson be forgotten," the group wrote.

In addition to the bill, the group said Jackson's family has created scholarships to honor their son, who would have been 16 on Friday. Details on the scholarships were not immediately available.

"This year has been unimaginably hard, and every kind word, every prayer, and every act of support truly matters," the group said. "We will keep fighting for Jackson's Law in his name."