By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A police officer charged with driving drunk after an off-duty crash surrendered Monday to face an aggravated manslaughter charge that was filed following the death of a toddler who was injured in the wreck.
Tests after the accident showed Jersey City Officer Kevin Freibott’s blood alcohol level was at least three times the legal limit, authorities said.
Freibott, 39, was released Monday on $350,000 bail, the prosecutor’s office said. He had been free on $50,000 bail on charges of driving while intoxicated and assault by auto. The police force suspended him without pay last week.
The manslaughter charge, which carries up to 30 years in prison, was filed Sunday, just hours after the death of 2-year-old Juan Carlos Zelaya. The child’s mother, Ruth Zelaya, 37, remained in critical condition at Jersey City Medical Center.
The mother and child were in a car that was struck from behind late Tuesday by a vehicle driven by Freibott. A preliminary investigation determined that Freibott’s vehicle was traveling at 70 to 75 mph.