Ex-state trooper gets 5 years in DWI crash that killed Old Bridge manFREEHOLD — A onetime state trooper was sentenced Friday to five years in state prison for vehicular homicide in a crash that occurred when his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci sentenced Christopher M. Brozyna, 29, of Hazlet to the prison term, ordering that he serve 85 percent of it before he can be considered for parole.
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The sentence was for the drunken-driving accident Sept. 14, 2007, on northbound Route 35 in Middletown that claimed the life of Ernesto Stamaria, 55, of Old Bridge.
"It's a tragedy because someone who is sworn to protect and serve society contributed to the taking of a life through his conduct," Mellaci said.
The judge noted Brozyna's blood-alcohol level was between .17 and .189, more than double the legal limit of .08, when the accident occurred. Brozyna was off-duty at the time of the crash.
"Mr. Brozyna and his vehicle were like a time bomb ready to explode," Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Gregory J. Schweers told the judge at the sentencing hearing. "He violently plowed into the back of Mr. Stamaria's vehicle, causing (Stamaria's) vehicle to rotate and overturn."
Stamaria was thrown from his sport-utility vehicle and died as a result of his injuries, Schweers said.
Brozyna was treated for minor injuries at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Marisa R. Godleski, 24, of Boonton, a passenger in his car, was uninjured.
Brozyna's attorney, Charles Uliano, told the judge his client is remorseful and eager to make amends for the mistake he made.
A trooper for 22 months at the time of the crash, Brozyna had received a number of commendations, including a meritorious service award, the second highest given to state troopers, Uliano said.
Brozyna apologized to relatives of Stamaria seated in the courtroom.
"I know I'm going to prison for a set number of years," Brozyna said. "The guilt and shame I feel right now is going to haunt me the rest of my life."
The judge ordered Brozyna, who had already been suspended from the State Police, to forfeit his job as a state trooper; barred him for life from any public employment in New Jersey; and ordered his driver's license be revoked for five years upon his release from prison.
"Every year, we read the papers and we see innocent people die for no reason because people who should know better drink and drive," Mellaci said in imposing the sentence.
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