Woman Charged in Connection with South Brunswick Fatal Crash

July 8, 2022

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Raymond Hayducka of the South Brunswick Police Department announced today that a woman was charged in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on June 15, 2022, on Georges Road in South Brunswick Township.

An investigation by Officer Jesse Blake of the South Brunswick Police Department and Detective Jonathan Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that on June 15, 2022, at approximately 10:31 A.M., authorities responded to the southbound lane of Georges Road near Crossroads North Middle School following the report of a crash. Upon their arrival, authorities determined a vehicle driven by Shamantha Bolla, 18, of Monmouth Junction, struck Dean Battaglia, 53, of South Brunswick. Battaglia succumbed to his injuries and was ultimately pronounced dead on scene.

On July 7, 2022, Bolla was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree reckless death by auto.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Blake of the South Brunswick Police Department at (732) 329-4000 X 7474 or Detective Berman of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4328.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Bolla are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.