Bergen Man Charged In DWI Death Of Passenger: Prosecutor

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A man was charged with death by auto and DWI after he crashed into 11 cars early one morning last month and his friend was ejected from his car, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced.

Valdes said in a news release that Aaron Burton, 33, of Hackensack Sept. 9 drove his 2008 Crown Victoria on East 18th Street in Paterson and struck 11 vehicles on both sides of the road before crashing. Police responded to the scene at 3:40 a.m., Valdes said.

Burton and a passenger in the car, Jason Demmie, 32, of Hackensack were ejected from the vehicle and seriously hurt. Demmie died from his injuries at about 4:16 a.m. at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Paterson; Burton was treated and released four days later. Another passenger, Antonio Clark, 35, of Teaneck was also injured in the crash.

An investigation revealed that Burton drove the vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.213 percent and drove at "an excessive speed," Valdes said.

In addition to the death by auto and DWI offenses, Burton was charged with death by auto with driving intoxicated within 1,000 feet of school property and several assault by auto offenses.

Burton is scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing Court Sunday afternoon. Prosecutors intend to file a motion for pretrial detention in the case, which will be heard by a Superior Court judge.

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Photo: Aaron Burton, 33, of Hackensack/Passaic County Prosecutor's Office