OCEAN CITY — Ruddy Narvaez, 36, of Galloway Township, was sentenced to three years in state prison for a 2021 motor vehicle accident in Ocean City that killed an island man.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland announced the sentencing Thursday.
On Nov. 15, Judge Gibson sentenced Narvaez to three years in state prison for the accident ruled a vehicular homicide involving excessive speed and running a red light.
The accident happened just after 6 p.m. June 22, 2021, at the intersection of Ninth Street and Bay Avenue. That is when Ocean City Police Department patrol units and EMS responded to the report of a serious motor vehicle accident.
According to the OCPD Traffic Safety United and Detective Division and members of the Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Crash Investigation Unit and Major Crimes Unit, a 2005 Mercury Sable operated by Kevin Farrell, 48, of Somers Point, was attempting a left turn onto Bay Avenue from Ninth Street when his vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a westbound 2018 Jeep Wrangler driver by Narvaez.
The front seat passenger in Farrell’s vehicle, 66-year-old Ocean City resident John Andrew, was transported to Shore Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Farrell also was taken to the hospital.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Dara Paley represented the state in the case.
“This case underscores the serious consequences of reckless driving and our commitment to holding offenders accountable,” Sutherland said. “We hope this sentence serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior on our roadways.”
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff