UPDATE: Man Charged with Death by Auto in Bennetts Crossing Crash

Photos & Video by: Harry B. Scheeler, Jr.
ERMA— Police have charged John J. Lawless, 37 of Pennsylvania with death by auto, two counts of assault, driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, reckless driving and failure to maintain a single lane, in connection with the fatal crash that occurred here on Route 9 and Bennetts crossing at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 12, according to police. Police said Lawless had his Pennsylvania driver’s license suspended in 2001 and he had a history of druken driving arrests.
Fredrick H. Shelton, 50, was pronounced dead on scene, his wife Sheri, 44, and his 13-year-old daughter, who were passengers in Shelton’s car were transported to area trauma centers. Sheri is reported to be in critical condition at Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City.
The following is from Lower Township Police:
On Saturday, Sept. 12 at approximately 8:30 p.m. Lower Township Police received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a head-on collision near the intersection of Bennett’s Crossing and Route 9 in the Erma.
Patrol officers reported a two-car motor vehicle, head-on accident with multiple victims and entrapment.
Lower Township Rescue Squad and Paramedics along with Erma and Villas Fire Department personnel were dispatched to assist with emergency medical treatment and removal of victims from the vehicles.
Patrol officers, firefighters, and rescue personnel performed CPR on the driver of one of the vehicles identified as Fredrick H. Shelton, 50, of the 300 block of Route 9, Erma while the victim was still inside the vehicle.
Despite rescue efforts, Shelton was pronounced at the scene by paramedics via telemetry
at approximately 8:44 p.m.
Lower Township Rescue squad had three ambulances on scene and requested two medevac helicopters to respond as well. Those helicopters were grounded due to weather conditions.
Lower Township Police accident investigators then requested assistance from the Cape May County Prosecutors Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit.
Investigation on scene determined that Shelton’s motor vehicle, a green 1995 Ford Escort, was proceeding south on Route 9 approaching the intersection of Bennett’s Crossing with Sheri Shelton, 44, as a front seat Passenger and the Sheltons’ 13-year-old daughter in the rear passenger seat.
At that time a red 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible driven by John J. Lawless, 37, of Caster Avenue, Philadelphia was proceeding north bound on Route 9 approaching the intersection of Bennett’s Crossing when Lawless’ vehicle failed to negotiate a slight curve in the roadway and entered the southbound lane of Route 9 forcing a motor vehicle traveling in front of the Sheltons’ vehicle off of the roadway.
Lawless’ motor vehicle collided with the Sheltons’ vehicle nearly head on striking the front driver’s side of Shelton’s vehicle near the front tire causing it to spin partially into the southbound lane of travel.
Following the collision, Lawless’ vehicle continued past the intersection and came to rest facing west bound straddling the north bound and south bound lanes.
Sheri Shelton was transported by Lower Township Rescue Squad to the AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center where she was listed in critical condition after emergency surgery.
The Sheltons’ 13-year-old daughter was initially transported by the Lower Township Rescue Squad to Cape Regional Medical Center where she was stabilized then air lifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.
Lawless, who allegedly had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath, was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center and admitted for injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident.
Lower Township Police officers proceeded to AtlantiCare Regional Trauma Center and retrieved blood samples from Lawless as part of the investigation.
Those officers and a police chaplain then had to make notification to Sheltons’ family members, including a teenage daughter and son.
A computer check of Lawless’ driving record showed that his Pennsylvania driver’s license had been suspended since 2001 and that Lawless had multiple arrests for driving while intoxicated.
“The bottom line here is this man should not have been operating a motor vehicle on any highway, in any state based on his suspended driving privileges and record of previous DWI arrests,” stated Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue, who responded to the scene.
Donohue stated that Lawless’ driving history record was taken into consideration when asking the judge to set a substantial bail on Lawless’ criminal charges.
Lawless was charged with:
One count, death by auto for causing the death of Fredrick Shelton by operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manor with evidence of intoxication with a suspended driver’s license. Two counts of assault with a motor vehicle for causing serious bodily injury to Sheri Shelton and her 13-year-old daughter.
Lawless was charged with motor vehicle violations:
Driving while intoxicated.
Operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
Reckless driving.
Failure to maintain a single lane.
Lower Township Municipal Court Judge David Deweese set bail on the criminal charges filed against Lawless at $100,000 cash bail.
Lawless was under guard by Lower Township officers at the AtlantiCare Regional
Trauma Center. Upon release he will be transported to county jail.
The accident is under investigation by Lower Township Patrol Officer Robert Hartman, Detective Edward Dougherty, and members of the Cape May County Fatal Accident Investigation Unit.
The Lower Township Police Department Chaplains have been assisting the Shelton Family. A trust fund has been set up at Sturdy Bank in the name of The Shelton Family Trust fund. Monetary donations may be dropped at any branch. Other forms of assistance are being coordinated through the Seashore Community Church which can be contacted at 886-6196.
Contact Scheeler at hscheeler@cmcherald.com