Burlington County Man Admits To DWI In Crash That Killed Friend

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Pemberton man has admitted to driving while impaired in Woodland Township when he caused an accident that killed a friend last year, authorities announced.

Donald Shinn, 22, pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced. He faces four years in state prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 7, 2020.

Shinn was attempting to illegally pass another car just after 3 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2018, when his Toyota Tundra went off the road on Route 563 and struck several trees, according to authorities.

Cody Watson, 20 of Pemberton, was a passenger in the car. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to authorities.

Shinn was treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. A third person who was sitting in the back seat declined medical treatment, according to authorities.

Toxicology tests performed on blood drawn from Shinn following the crash indicated he was legally impaired at the time of the accident.