Woman Accused of Killing Community Leader Back in Court Next Month

The woman accused of killing an East Hanover businessman and community leader while she was allegedly driving impaired on Ridgedale Avenue is set to have her next court appearance in a month. It will come after toxicology results at her recent arraignment reportedly revealed she had ingested cocaine before the accident.

Vanessa E. Brown, 32, of Parsippany, is accused of killing 49-year-old Ralph Politi Jr. as he stood outside of his business, All Jersey Garage Door at 30 Ridgedale Ave. Brown has been held in the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $400,000 bail with no 10 percent option ever since.

The woman told police that Politi had moved in front of her car, but Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi early in the investigation said . Her car reportedly kept moving until it slammed into nearby parked cars.

The Daily Record reported that toxicology test results revealed in Morris County Superior Court at Brown's Aug. 14 arraignment say she had ingested cocaine before the fatal accident, according to Assistant Prosecutor Kelley Lavery.

Brown that day pleaded not guilty to .

If found guilty on both charges, Brown could receive a sentence of as many as 40 years behind bars.

Brown's next court date is expected to take place Sept. 24.

Calls to Brown's attorney Peter Gilbreth have not yet been returned.

Politi, who owned both Politi Auto Parts and All Jersey Garage Doors in East Hanover, was a . He left behind his wife , a large family and a .

At Politi's funeral on May 11, Rosemarie Rubinetti Politi eulogized her husband and said justice must be done in his name.