CNBNews

MAYS LANDING, NJ – On February 27, 2025, Edward Johnston, 25, pled guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter for causing the death of 8-year-old Javier Velez in Absecon on July 23, 2023. The investigation revealed that the defendant was intoxicated and traveling at approximately 107 MPH westbound on the White Horse Pike. His vehicle left the lane of travel and collided with the rear of a parked vehicle, where the victim was sleeping while the victim’s father and brother fished just outside the vehicle.
Johnston will be sentenced on May 13, 2025, before the Hon. Joseph Levin, J.S.C. The plea agreement calls for the defendant to serve 15 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning Johnston must serve 85% before becoming eligible for parole.
This case was investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office – Crash Investigations Unit, the Absecon Police Department, and the Atlantic City Police Department. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Robinson prosecuted the case for the State.