Ocean County Man Pleads Guilty To Leaving Scene Of Fatal Crash

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Jackson man has pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a Christmas eve crash in 2020 that killed a Howell woman, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Roberto Alcazar-Sanchez, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in death before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan on Thursday, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, and Billhimer said the state will be seeking a term of seven years in prison.

The crash happened about 6 p.m. Dec. 24, 2020, authorities said. Norman Shtab, 83, was driving a 2010 Mercedes Benz. He got off Interstate 195 at exit 21, and as he turned left onto Cedar Swamp Road, his car collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.

Shtab and his wife, Phyllis, were both injured in the crash and taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Norman Shtab was treated and later released, but Phyllis, 81, died on Dec. 26, 2020, as a result of her injuries, authorities said.

Alcazar-Sanchez had run away from the scene of the crash, and was identified by authorities as the driver a few days later, with authorities issuing a warrant for his arrest on Dec. 30, 2020. They learned he had left the United States and traveled to Mexico.

Alcazar-Sanchez surrendered to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in Laredo, Texas, on March 3, 2021, and was extradited to Ocean County. He has been in the Ocean County Jail since March 31, 2021.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron and Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara are handling the case. The following agencies assisted in the investigation: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide and Victim Witness Advocacy units; Jackson Township police and their Special Emergency Response Team; Brick Township police; the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Field Services Unit/Warrants; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Laredo, Texas, police, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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