12 Years For Man Who Caused Rt. 9 Fatal Crash While Fleeing Police

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A 21-year-old man who fled from police up Rt. 9 last year — and who crashed into another vehicle, killing a man and injuring his whole family — was sentenced this week to 12 years in prison.

The man is Samuel Villar, 21, of Somerset.

The fatal crash happened on November 9, 2022 in Old Bridge: At approximately 2:14 a.m. on that date, Marlboro Police were pursuing Villar as he sped away from them. He and the other teenage boys in the car with him were wanted for questioning in an attempted car theft that had just occurred in Marlboro Township.

The officer chasing them was identified as Marlboro Police Sgt. Greg Arrone.

The car chase headed north up Rt. 9 into Old Bridge. Near the intersection of Spring Valley Road, police say Villar ran multiple red lights and collided with multiple vehicles.

Arturo Tlapa Luna, 33, of Freehold, was driving home with his wife Maria, their two children and his father early that morning. His car was hit by Villar's car and the impact of the crash killed Luna. Members of his family were seriously injured.

Villar pled guilty on June 14 of this year to first-degree aggravated manslaughter, four counts of aggravated assault and eluding.

He must serve 85 percent of his 12-year sentence before being eligible for parole. Once he is released from prison, Villar will be on parole supervision for five years and his driver's license will be suspended for two years.

Prior Patch reporting on this story: Audio, Video Released In Update Of Fatal Marlboro Police Chase Probe