Blood Drive Monday in Honor of Slain Atlantic Highlands Teen

Port Monmouth, NJ - The family of Marissa Procopio, the 15-year-old Atlantic Highlands girl who police say was hit and killed by a woman as the girl was trying to walk across Rt. 36 at dusk last July, will hold a blood drive Monday afternoon in the girl's honor.

The Friends of Marissa Procopio are hosting the blood drive Monday, July 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Port Monmouth VFW, at 1 Veterans Lane off Rt. 36 in memory of Marissa. To make a donation appointment, please call Steven Santarseri at 732-687-1714 or email him at ssantars@aol.com or call Dawn Jacobs at 732-241-0520.

"Please come today, everyone .... a couple minutes out of your day to save lives in honor of Marissa. She donated organs. What's a little blood. Save lives in Marissa's name," said Marissa's mother, Danielle Procopio.

The woman driving the car, Toni Marletta of the Leonardo section of Middletown, was indicted May 23 by a Monmouth County grand jury on four charges: one count of second-degree Knowingly Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in a Fatality, one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and two counts of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. If she is found guilty, the standard sentence is 5 to 10 years. Marletta pleaded not guilty June 20 to the four charges, in an arraignment Patch covered live from the Monmouth County courthouse. Marletta's attorney also requested a psych evaluation for her, and her next scheduled court date is Sept. 6.