Conor Hanifin, the Toms River 19-year-old who survived a bloody February crash that left his passenger dead pleads guilty to vehicular homicide and driving under the influence.

Connor Hanifin
Connor Hanifin (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
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The plea bargain was announced today by Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, who said that prosecutors are asking that Hanifin be sentenced to 42 months in a state prison, with a stipulation to serve at least 85 percent, or just over three years.

Investigators determined that Hanifin was behind the wheel of the Hoda Civic that was found pinned vertically against trees off the cul-de-sac at the end of Yellow Bank Road at about 1:36 AM on February 8. He and Francis Duddy, 19, of Toms River, required extrication.

Hanifin was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Duddy, in the passenger front seat, was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:15 AM.

Investigators determined that Hanifin lost control of the car on a curve. Toms River police officers spotted alcohol in the car, and Hanifin's blood alcohol content was later assessed as beyond New Jersey's legal limit, authorities said.

Hanifin posted $75,000 bail on March 24. Sentencing is scheduled for January 23, 2015.

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