CNBNews

On Monday, November 4, 2024, at approximately 8:00 pm, John DeMarco (age 58), was fatally struck by a motor vehicle while he was walking on Fries Mill Road in the area of Joseph Drive, Washington Township, New Jersey. Particulars regarding the accident, including time and place, as well as a description and photographs of the suspect vehicle, a silver Honda Civic, obtained from surveillance video, were released to the public on Friday, November 15, 2024.

Through that distribution of information, the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle that struck DeMarco were identified by a concerned citizen. The citizen information, coupled with information developed through the ongoing joint investigation, advanced matters forward. On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, detectives from the Washington Township Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office located the vehicle, a 2021 silver Honda Civic, and the driver of the vehicle, identified as Destiny Esquilin (age 26), at a residence in Vineland, New Jersey. The vehicle had visible damage which was consistent with the fatal hit-and-run crash. Esquilin was transported to the Washington Township Police Department where she was interviewed by detectives and then criminally charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash: 2c:11-5.1 (2nd degree). Esquilin was released pending a future court date. 

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of their rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State Law.

Both Acting Prosecutor Elizabeth Parvin and Chief Patrick Gurcsik of the Washington Township Police Department are very proud of the partnership, exemplary efforts and tenacity of their personnel which resulted in the arrest on November 20th. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Krystal Santiago of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, at 856-384-5508, or Detective Matthew Loudenslager, of the Washington Township Police Department, 856-589-0330 ext. 1176. 

Information can also be e-mailed to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office at [email protected].