SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The man charged in a fatal car crash in Gloucester County earlier this month is now facing additional charges. He made his first court appearance on Friday from a hospital bed.
Investigators said 24-year-old George Linard was trying to evade police when he slammed into two other vehicles in National Park, New Jersey, on Nov. 9.
A gas station employee had called police about a disturbance. When officers arrived and activated their lights to conduct a traffic stop, Linard drove off, officials said.
As he was speeding away, police said he struck two vehicles at Red Bank and Hessian avenues, killing 42-year-old Jose Martinez, of Lindenwold.
Initially, Linard gave officers a fake name, telling them he was Steve Hall from the United Kingdom.
According to police, Linard was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when he tried to flee the scene. Vehicle data shows he floored it for five seconds before the accident, reaching 86 miles per hour in a residential area.
He is facing numerous charges, including first-degree aggravated manslaughter and eluding police, with up to 20 years in prison.
Linard’s lawyer said he hadn’t had a chance to speak with his client before his court appearance on Friday, and he requested a detention hearing date of Dec. 1, as Linard is scheduled for another surgery this weekend. The judge and prosecutors agreed to that date.