Freddie Wright, 23, is expected to receive a 12-year state prison sentence for the August 2014 chase between Essex and Somerset counties
Freddie Wright NEWARK -- A Newark man has pleaded guilty to eluding and related charges for leading police on a 2014 chase in a stolen vehicle between Essex and Somerset counties, hitting a minivan and a police car and causing Route 287 to be shut down during rush hour.
With his trial scheduled to begin, Freddie Wright, 23, entered the guilty plea on Tuesday in connection with the Aug. 11, 2014 incident, according to a news release issued today by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Under a plea agreement, Wright is expected to receive a 12-year state prison sentence, according to Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Giordano, who is handling the case. Wright must serve slightly more than 10 years before becoming eligible for parole and he will receive credit for time served.
His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 19 before Superior Court Judge Martin Cronin.
"This plea reflects the damage this defendant caused not only to those involved in the crash that day, but to hundreds of drivers whose lives he put in jeopardy as a part of his reckless acts," Giordano said in the news release.
Charges are still pending against Wright's co-defendants - Jakill Young, 24, and Ericka Whitlock, 21, both of Newark - who were allegedly passengers in the Jeep driven by Wright.
Whitlock, who was eight months pregnant at the time, gave birth on the day after the incident, authorities said.
The incident started in the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2014 on 17th Avenue and South 19th Street in Newark, where a state trooper attempted to stop the Jeep after running the license plates and finding the vehicle had been reported stolen, authorities said.
But Wright rammed the Jeep into the State Police vehicle and sped off, authorities said. The trooper broke his hand in the crash, authorities said.
Wright then led police on a chase along Route 78 West, Route 24 West and 287 South, authorities said. During the pursuit, the Jeep reached more than 100 mph, authorities said.
The high-speed chase ended on Route 287 South in Bernards Township when the Jeep collided with a minivan and a township police car, authorities said. A civilian and a police officer were injured in the crash, authorities said.
Following the crash, the highway was shut down in both directions for several hours.
In addition to eluding, Wright pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while eluding for hitting a civilian victim; aggravated assault while eluding for hitting the Bernards Police Officer; and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries for striking the State Police vehicle and breaking the trooper's hand.
As for Wright's alleged passengers, Young is charged with riding in a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest charges, and Whitlock is charged with riding in a stolen vehicle, court records show.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
