Washington Township man charged with falling asleep while driving
The following report is on file with the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and Washington Township Police Department:
A Washington Township man has been charged with causing the death of a 44-year-old woman in a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision early Saturday on the southbound shoulder of Route 42 near the Ganttown Road intersection, Washington Township.
Nicholas Jahn, 34, is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide by falling asleep while driving, second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal crash and third-degree endangering a victim. Located at his residence Saturday afternoon, Jahn was placed in jail, pending a detention hearing, after complaints were signed against him. He is a teacher at the Durand Academy in Woodbury. The Honda Pilot SUV believed to have been involved in the crash was also located at the Jahn residence.
The victim, Jawana Wilcox, 44, of either Collingswood or Mt. Holly, was found by a resident of the Golden Luck Motel on Route 42. It is believed she was struck while approaching a bus stop near the motel, carrying a suitcase at about 3:20 a.m. on Saturday. An autopsy by the Gloucester County Medical Examiner determined the cause of her death was blunt head trauma.
The incident is being investigated by the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the Washington Township Police Department.
Following the arrest of Jahn, Gloucester County Prosecutor Charles J. Fiore said, “I would like to thank the investigators of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the law enforcement officers of the Washington Township Police Department for their diligent and tireless efforts. This joint investigation led to the apprehension of the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle within hours of this tragic incident. This investigation was a clear indication of the collaborative effort that exists between the GCPO and local police departments.”
