Man Was Driving To Livingston When He Struck, Killed Pregnant Woman: Attorney

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A Belleville driver who struck and killed a pregnant Verona woman on his way to his job in Livingston earlier this month allegedly admitted that he was a heroin user, prosecutors say.

The Essex County community is still mourning the loss of 34-year-old Megan Longo Villanella, who died after being struck by a car while waiting at a bus stop at Lakeside Avenue and Pease Avenue in Verona with her brother, prosecutors say.

Villanella was due with her second child in May, and was married with a 22-month-old daughter, Isabelle Ava, her obituary stated.

Her brother was also seriously injured in the crash, authorities said.

• See related article: Funeral Set For Pregnant Verona Woman; Belleville Driver Faces DUI Charge

Authorities charged Anthony V. Casale, Jr., 25, of Belleville, with first-degree death by auto and DUI in connection with Villanella’s death.

According to Casale’s attorney, he was driving to Livingston, where he was employed as a maintenance worker in the police department at the time, NJ.com reported.

Casale allegedly admitted to using heroin and other drugs for several years, and has multiple prior drug arrests and car crashes, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Tara Creegan said during a detention hearing on Thursday.

Creegan said that Casale told staff at Mountainside Hospital after the crash that he didn't recall what happened and that he “injected heroin.”

Police reportedly found Casale at the scene of the crash with glassy eyes and a dried, white substance on his lips, Creegan alleged.

Casale’s attorney pointed out that heroin can stay in a person's system for two to seven days after they use it.

“This certainly doesn't stand for the supposition that this person was under the influence at the time of the incident," he said.

Photo: Megan Longo Villanella