Patchogue Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide

A Patchogue man has been charged with vehicular homicide for causing a motorcycle crash that killed a Pennsylvania woman on Sunday, authorities have announced.

Police say Maurice Smith, 36, was intoxicated when the he hit the rear wheel of a Harley Davidson with his Suzuki motorcycle on Interstate 78 in Bedminster, N.J.

Nicole Widener, 45, of Stewartsville, Pa., was thrown from the back of the motorcycle - where she was a passenger - and landed in the center lane of the highway.  There she was struck and killed by another vehicle, whose driver still has not been found. Paul Shelley, driver of the Harley Davidson, had to undergo emergency surgery for a near amputation of his leg, Sgt. Stephen Jones, spokesman for New Jersey State police, said.

Shelley remains in critical condition at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Jones said that Smith was initially arrested on charges of DUI.  

But the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office on Monday charged Smith with one count of vehicular homicide in the second degree and one count of assault by auto in the third degree.

Acting Prosecutor A. Peter De Marco Jr. said the investigation revealed Smith was driving over 100 miles per hour and was changing lanes without signaling.  

Smith received cuts and abrasions, and is also being treated at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Jones said.  

Smith's bail was set at $50,000.