2022 News Release

State Police Charge Man with Vehicular Homicide in
Fatal Crash that Killed Public Safety Telecommunicator

Southampton, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police have charged Regis A. Vitale Jr., 50, of Waterford Works, N.J., for vehicular homicide as the result of a fatal crash that killed Daryl ‘Skip’ Akers, 62, of Bridgeton, N.J., a State Police Public Safety Telecommunicator.

On March 11, troopers from Troop “C” Red Lion Station responded to the report of serious motor vehicle crash on Route 206 in Southampton Township, Burlington County. Upon their arrival, they began life saving measures to the drivers of both vehicles involved in the crash. Vitale was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries and Akers was pronounced dead on scene.

As a result of the investigation led by the Troop ‘C’ Criminal Investigation Office and the Fatal Accident Investigation Unit, in conjunction with members of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, it was determined that Vitale was driving a GMC Silverado southbound on Route 206 when, in the area of milepost 18.3, the GMC crossed the centerline into the northbound lanes and struck Akers, who was driving a Jeep Patriot on his way to work.

On March 12, detectives conducted a search warrant on Vitale’s vehicle and seized methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, THC, and drug paraphernalia. As a result of a toxicology report on blood obtained from Vitale on the morning of the crash, along with information obtained during the course of the investigation, detectives determined that Vitale was under influence of methamphetamine and marijuana while he was operating the motor vehicle.

On May 25, Regis A. Vitale Jr. was charged with vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Due to his injuries sustained from the crash, he was placed on house arrest.

This case is being prosecuted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.

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