Driver Given Seven Years for Leaving Fatal Accident Scene

The Egg Harbor Township 33-year-old convicted of driving off after hitting a 16-year-old from the township with his car is sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

William Simkins was sentenced today for his conviction on a second-degree charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The jury that returned his conviction also cleared Simkins of vehicular homicide.

Investigators learned that Simkins struck Jacon Broschard while the teen was riding a bicycle with friends on Jerome Avenue, then left without checking on Broschard's condition or offering help.

He turned himself in a couple of hours later at Egg Harbor Police Headquarters, and was charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report it. He was later indicted for vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident, both second degree counts with possible terms of five to 10 years on conviction. He also faced a third-degree charge of endangering an injured victim, punishable by three to five years.

Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain says that defense attorney Lou Barbone immediately filed a motion for a downgraded sentence, citing family hardship during Simkins's imprisonment.

Judge Michael Donio denied the motion after Acting First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton argued that Simkins had not acted responsibly and cited his nine arrests, numerous vehicular offenses and a domestic violence incident.

Simkins also loses his driving privileges for two years in New Jersey after his release from prison.