COURT HOUSE – John J. Lawless, 37, of Philadelphia was indicted Tuesday, Jan 12, for aggravated manslaughter, a first-degree crime, in the Sept. 12, 2009 drunken driving crash that killed Lower Township resident Frederick Shelton, the Atlantic City Press reports.
According to the report, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Rob Johnson said Tuesday that Lawless, had a blood-alcohol content of .229, nearly three times the legal limit of .08.
Lawless was driving his Chrysler Sebring north on Route 9 near Bennetts Crossing in Lower Township when he veered into the southbound lane and collided head-on with Shelton’s Ford Escort.
Sheri Shelton, 44, and her 13-year-old daughter, Brittany, were also in the vehicle at the time her husband was killed. Both were airlifted to Cooper University Trauma Center in Camden in critical condition.
Police Chief Edward Donohue said Lawless was arrested for DWI in Pennsylvania on the following dates, which are public record and obtained from a First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Court Summary, which is available online:
• Oct. 3, 1996: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrest.
• March 16, 1998: DWI arrest with minimum two months/maximum three months prison term, plead guilty.
• Sept. 7, 1998: DWI arrest with minimum two months/maximum three months prison term, plead guilty.
• April 29, 1999: DWI arrest. Plead guilty to recklessly endangering another person. Placed on one-year probation. Plead guilty to DWI, minimum two months/maximum three months prison term.
Lawless’ Pennsylvania driver’s license was suspended indefinitely on or about 2001.
• July 62, 2004: DWI arrest. Dismissed under speedy trial regulations.
• June 11, 2005: DWI arrest with minimum one year/maximum two-year prison term. Plead guilty.
• Dec. 24, 2008: Involved in a motor vehicle accident in Philadelphia, arrested for DWI and Criminal Mischief.
Case is due to be heard in Philadelphia Court in October 2009.
