Newark Man Indicted in Death of Stockton College Student Last Year

A Newark man has been indicted in the death of a Richard Stockton College of New Jersey student as the result of a car crash last year, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor James P. McClain announced Monday morning, Nov. 5.

On Oct. 4, 2011, Joao Simoes, 22, was driving a car that collided with a deer on Vera King Farris Drive, the main road through the campus, McClain said. Following the collision, the car veered off the road and made impact with several trees, McClain said.

The crash resulted in the death of Joseph Miller, 21, of Medford, who was set to celebrate his 22nd birthday the following day, McClain said.

Simoes, also a student at the college, was treated for non-life threatening injuries, McClain said.

A joint investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Fatal Collisions Unit and the Galloway Township Police Department revealed Simoes was speeding at the time of the crash, McClain said.

On Oct. 23, 2012, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Simoes for one count of second degree vehicular homicide, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, McClain said.

On Nov. 1, Simoes, in the presence of his attorney, surrendered to the Prosecutor's Office, according to McClain. He was processed and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on $50,000 bail. He has since been released.