Aug 28, 2008 10:39 pm US/Eastern
Man Charged In Crash That Killed Perth Amboy Cop
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) ―
A man charged in a crash that killed a Perth Amboy police officer was not guilty of causing the collision, his lawyer told a judge on Thursday.
Sean McGuirk, 23, of Colonia, charged in the death of Officer Thomas Raji, wept during his arraignment at the Middlesex County Courthouse.
The officer's pregnant widow -- who is also a Perth Amboy police officer -- and more than 30 colleagues attended the proceeding.
McGuirk was arrested Wednesday night and charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of third-degree assault by auto. In addition, he is charged with drunken driving and other motor vehicle violations. Authorities say his blood alcohol level was 0.10 percent; the legal limit is 0.08.
State Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz continued McGuirk's bail at $100,000, but suspended his driving privileges until the charges are resolved.
If convicted of all counts, McGuirk could face up to 20 years in prison.
Authorities say Raji, 31, a 10-year veteran of the force, and another officer, Matthew Mercurio, were transporting a prisoner to the Middlesex County Jail when their cruiser was hit broadside in Woodbridge shortly before 4 a.m. Friday.
Raji, who was driving, was pronounced dead a short time later at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Mercurio, 42, suffered broken ribs, while the prisoner suffered minor injuries.
McGuirk's attorney, David Shivas, declined to comment after the hearing.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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