Clark Woman Charged In Overdose Death

Clark, NJ -- Two Union County people have been criminally charged for allegedly provided a Linden man with the drugs that killed him last summer, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Monday.

Alexandria Marcino, 24, of Clark and Joseph Colatrella, 26, of Elizabeth are charged with first-degree strict liability for a drug-induced death and two related third-degree drug offenses in connection with the fatal overdose suffered by 31-year- old Bruce Jirinec Jr. of Linden.

Both Marcino and Colatrella could face 10 to 20 years in state prison.

On Aug. 6, 2015 shortly before 11:30 a.m., family members of Jirinec found him dead in his home with acetyl fentanyl, a synthetic opioid similar to heroin, but far more potent, according to Park.

It was discovered that Jirinec contacted Marcino about the drugs and got them from Colatrella a mere hours before his death, according to a joint investigation involving the Union County Homicide Task Force and the Linden Police Department.

A multi-agency search concluded on Friday afternoon in Woodbridge with the arrest of both Marcino and Colatrella. The search was conducted by members of the Clark Police Department, Union County Police Department, and Union County Sheriff’s Office assisting Homicide Task Force detectives in locating Marcino and Colatrella and making the arrests.

Both Marcino and Colatrella were lodged in Union County Jail on $75,000 bail.

(Photo, provided: Pictured from left - Alexandria Marcino, 24, of Clark and Joseph Colatrella, 26, of Elizabeth)