Man With History Of DWI Arrests Facing Charges In Deadly NJ Crash

Most Popular Pages

Jessica Simpson: Then & Now

E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Phila. Man Facing Charges In Deadly NJ Crash

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

Recipient E-mail:*
- Your Name:*
- Your E-mail:*
Add a Message:
Send me a copy of this e-mail.

Type the characters in this picture:*

Click here to refresh with new letters

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

Print Share + Comments

Sep 14, 2009 12:41 pm US/Eastern

Phila. Man Facing Charges In Deadly NJ Crash

LOWER Twp, N.J. (CBS 3) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: CBS

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Related Slideshows

: Beach Baby Photos

: Michael Jordan Enters Hall of Fame

: President Obama Makes Health Pitch To Congress

: Dr. Phil Visits CBS3

: Eagles Cheerleaders 2009 Eco-Sexy Calendar

A Philadelphia man with a history of DWI arrests is facing charges after a deadly wrong way crash in Cape May County Saturday night.

John Lawless, 37, is facing charges of death by auto and two counts of assault after a violent accident on Route 9 near Bennett's Crosssing in Lower Township at about 8:30 p.m.

Police said Lawless was intoxicated and driving with a suspended license when he drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a vehicle being driven by 50-year-old Fredrick Shelton.

According to reports, Lawless failed to negotiate a slight curve in the highway and drifted into oncoming traffic where he forced another car to swerve off the road before striking Shelton's vehicle.

Shelton was pronounced dead at the scene. His 44-year-old wife Sheri and 13-year-old daughter were both rushed to area hospitals.

Sheri Shelton was transported to the Atlantic City Regional Trauma Center where she is listed in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery.

The Shelton's daughter was airlifted to Cooper Hospital in Camden in stable condition.

Lawless was taken to Atlantic City Regional Trauma Center with unknown injuries.

A computer check of Lawless' record revealed a suspended Pennsylvania license since 2001 and multiple arrests for Driving While Intoxicated dating back to 1999.

Lawless was charged with one count of death by auto, a second degree crime due to evidence of intoxication and a suspended driver's license, and two counts of assault with a motor vehicle, in addition to related motor vehicle violations.

Upon his release from the hospital, Lawless will be transferred to Cape May County Jail on $100,000 bail.

The Shelton Family Fund has been arraigned by the Sturdy Savings Bank.

Send donations to:
Sturdy Savings Bank
3851 Bayshore Road
North Cape May, N.J.
08204
609-884-5656