A man who admitted drinking before driving 112 mph and killing another motorist in Salem County faces at least 7½ years in prison under a plea deal reached with prosecutors.
Stephen M. Karwowski, 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a 2021 crash that killed Genita Townsend, 52, of Pennsville.
Karwowski was driving a pickup truck north on Route 49/South Broadway near Corson Avenue in Pennsville shortly before 6 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2021, when his vehicle struck the passenger side of Townsend’s car. She was making a left turn from southbound Route 49 into a restaurant parking lot.
Townsend died at the scene.
The impact sent Townsend’s car into another vehicle, injuring the driver, police said.
Under questioning as part of his plea Tuesday, Karwowski said he drank two beers and a shot before driving on the day of the crash. He also said he was driving under the influence of alcohol.
Karwowski admitted driving 112 mph in a 50-mph zone, though police previously stated in court documents that the speed limit in the area where the crash occurred was 40.
A witness told investigators Karwowski’s vehicle passed him on the shoulder before the crash at 80 or 90 mph, while another witness estimated his speed at 70 mph, police said in an affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges.
An analysis of the data recorder in Karwowski’s truck revealed he was traveling at 113 mph 3.5 seconds before the crash and 70 mph at the moment of impact, a prosecutor said during a 2022 hearing.
A police officer at the crash scene reported smelling alcohol on Karwowski’s breath, said his eyes were watery and bloodshot and his speech was slow and slurred, according to court documents.
Karwowski’s blood alcohol content was measured at 0.12%, above the legal limit of 0.08%, officials said.
He pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and fourth-degree assault by auto. A second-degree death by auto charge will be dismissed under the plea agreement, attorneys said.
Prosecutors will recommend a 9-year prison sentence on the aggravated manslaughter charge, with a requirement that Karwowski serve 85% of that time before he’s eligible for parole, according to the deal. They will recommend a concurrent 18-month term on the assault by auto charge.
At sentencing, he will also plead guilty to driving while intoxicated, according to plea deal.
In addition, he faces a five-year period of parole supervision when released, records indicate.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Stories by Matt Gray
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.