Widow of Mount Arlington NJ Police Officer
The widow of a Mount Arlington NJ police officer who was killed in a Roxbury NJ car crash has filed a civil suit against the driver of the other car.
Amy Wargo, whose husband Joseph Wargo was killed in October 2011, is suing Michael Casella and his grandparents, Joseph and Dolores Rizzo.
According to police, Mr. Casella was driving more than 90 mph when he lost control of his Mitsubishi Lancer and crashed into Mr. Wargo’s police cruiser on Route 80 west.
This year, Mr. Casella pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter. Mr. Casella also admitted that at the time of the accident he was under the influence of several drugs, including heroin, Xanax, morphine, and methadone. The plea agreement called for Mr. Casella to serve 20 years in NJ State Prison.
Recently, Ms. Wargo filed a wrongful death suit against Mr. Casella, alleging that he caused her husband’s death by driving in a “careless and negligent manner.” Ms. Wargo’s suit also names Mr. Casella’s grandparents as defendants because they allowed Mr. Casella to drive their vehicle despite allegedly knowing that he was under the influence of drugs.
Mr. Casella’s defense attorney said that the family’s insurer, Allstate, is negotiating with Ms. Wargo’s attorney in an attempt to work out a settlement.
To learn more about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “Police Officer’s Widow Sues Driver Who Killed Him in Drug-Influenced Car Crash.“
