The widow of a Mount Arlington NJ police officer who was killed in a car crash is suing the driver of the other car.
Amy Wargo, whose husband Joseph Wargo was killed in a car crash in October 2011, is suing Michael Casella and his grandparents, Joseph and Dolores Rizzo. The grandparents are named in the suit because they allegedly allowed Mr. Casella to drive the car.
Mr. Casella was allegedly driving more than 90 mph on Route 80 west in Roxbury NJ when he lost control of his Mitsubishi Lancer and slammed into Mr. Wargo’s police cruiser on the other side of the median.
Earlier this year, Mr. Casella pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter. Mr. Casella admitted that at the time of the accident he was under the influence of several drugs, including heroin, Xanax, morphine, and methadone. The plea deal called for Mr. Casella to be sentenced to 20 years in NJ State Prison.
Ms. Wargo’s wrongful death suit against Mr. Casella alleges that he caused her husband’s death by driving in a “careless and negligent manner.” Ms. Wargo’s suit also alleges that Mr. Casella’s grandparents are responsible for the death because they lent their vehicle to Mr. Casella when they purportedly knew that he was under the influence of drugs.
Mr. Casella’s defense attorney has said that the family’s insurer, Allstate, is attempting to work out a settlement with Ms. Wargo’s attorney.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Police Officer’s Widow Sues Driver Who Killed Him in Drug-Influenced Car Crash.“