Man who killed Bayonne man and daughter in turnpike crash found guilty by jury

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A man who killed a Bayonne man and his five-year-old daughter in a car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike over three years ago was found guilty on all counts by a Hudson County jury on Thursday.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Scott Hahn, 39, of Hamilton Township, was convicted on all counts relating to a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at Interchange 14C of the New Jersey Turnpike on February 22, 2016 in Jersey City, authorities said.

The crash caused the deaths of Timothy O’Donnell, 48, and his 5 year-old daughter, Bridget O’Donnell.

The jury deliberated for approximately three hours prior to finding the defendant guilty.

During the course of the trial, the state presented evidence from several experts establishing that Hahn’s vehicle was traveling at 53 miles per hour in a 5 mile per hour zone, while Hahn was also under the influence of multiple controlled dangerous substances.

Hahn was convicted on two counts of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of death by auto and two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (GHB & GBL).

Aggravated manslaughter is a first-degree crime which carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act.

Additionally, death by auto is a second-degree crime which carries a sentence of five to 10 years in NJSP subject to the No Early Release Act and possession of a controlled dangerous substance is a third-degree crime subject to three to five years in NJSP.

The State will be seeking consecutive sentences at the time of sentencing, which is
currently scheduled for May 24, 2019.

Pam O’Donnell, the widow of Timothy O’Donnell and mother of Bridget O’Donnell, thanked all her friends and family – including Mayor Jimmy Davis and Council President Sharon Nadrowski – for their continued support when reacting to the jury’s verdict on Facebook.

“All of Tim’s friends who I never met but worked at the courthouse and filed in one by one for the verdict, I thank you! #bayonnestrong we were today!,” she wrote.

“But thank you to EVERYONE who has supported us these years with no judgement but a helluva Lot of love and support. Ali and I wouldn’t be able to have gotten through it without ALL of you. Much love to everyone …”

The state was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutors Leo Hernandez and Lynne Seborowski of the Homicide Unit and Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mitzy Galis-Menendez presided over the matter.


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