Driver Sentenced In Burlington County Crash That Killed Friend

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — A New York man was sentenced to six years in a New Jersey state prison for causing the death of a friend while driving impaired last summer in Southampton, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott A. Coffina.

Anthony Lorenz, 21, must serve 85 percent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole, according to officials.

Lorenz previously plead guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide, third-degree assault by auto and a traffic summons for driving while intoxicated, officials said. During that previous court proceeding, he indicated he had been drinking alcoholic beverages before the crash and acknowledged he was legally drunk, officials said.

Lorenz, 21-year-old Roy Song and another man were on their way to a Wawa about 3:30 a.m. last July 3 when Lorenz drove off Hilliards Bridge Road, struck a guardrail, tree stump and utility pole, according to officials.

Lorenz suffered minor injuries, Song was pronounced dead at the scene and the other passenger suffered a fractured sternum, officials said.

"This is a heartbreaking case involving very close friends," Coffina said. "I urge all who hear about this tragedy to take a moment to consider the pain this avoidable death created, and remember it the next time they have been consuming alcohol and foolishly believe they are capable of safely driving a vehicle."

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