Woman Charged In Crash That Killed Teacher, 31, From Hudson County

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A New York woman has been charged in a fatal crash in Jersey City that took the life of a 31-year old teacher who was in her back seat.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office announced that Amanda Rivera, 28, of Staten Island has been charged with first-degree aggravated manslaughter, reckless manslaughter, and assault by auto in connection with the Feb. 3 crash in Jersey City.

The crash — which occurred on Route 185 shortly after midnight on a Saturday — injured two passengers in the car, including Stephanie Weymouth, 31, of Bayonne. She had taught at the Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth and People's Preparatory Charter School in Newark. She had also acted and written a play in college at Drew University, her obituary notes.

Prosecutors said that on Saturday, Feb. 3 at approximately 12:20 a.m., the Jersey City Police Department was notified of a motor vehicle collision on Route 185 near the Linden Avenue East intersection.

Police found that a 2019 Nissan sedan that had collided with the rear of a parked and unoccupied tractor trailer. Three female occupants were transported to Jersey City Medical Center by Emergency Medical Services, prosecutors said.

Rivera and the front seat passenger, a 27-year-old female from Old Bridge, were treated for non-life threatening injuries, prosecutors said.

The backseat passenger, Weymouth, was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m.

Prosecutors said, "During the course of the investigation, it was determined Rivera was driving while intoxicated at the time of the collision."

Weymouth's obituary says, "Stephanie was an amazing inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her."

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Regional Collision Investigation Unit and the Jersey City Police Department with the investigation and arrest.

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