NJ street racer sentenced to 13 years for New Brunswick vice principal's hit-and-run death
NEW BRUNSWICK – Tyrone Harrison was described in letters read by a judge as the shining star that brightened New Brunswick High School every day, an exceptional educator and man, and the vice principal who had the ability to reach students who had given up on themselves and motivate them to greatness.
One of Harrison’s nephews wrote that if Freddy S. Garcia Jr. had met Harrison, the educator and former football player would have encouraged him to make good choices to lead a meaningful life.
But on Oct. 6, 2018, when Garcia’s and Harrison's path's crossed, Assistant Prosecutor Keith Abrams said Garcia, who had racked up 40 points on his driver’s license and five previous driving-while-suspended violations, chose to make bad, "stupid" choices.
Abrams said Garcia had been drinking, was high on marijuana and illegally street racing with a suspended license on wet pavement when he lost control of his vehicle, struck and killed Harrison, 49, of the Somerset section of Franklin, and then fled from the scene to go to another drag racing event with friends.
"He (Garcia) should never have been on the road that night, but for his choices," Abrams said. "He killed someone and tried to cover it up. There needs to be serious consequences for when someone like Mr. Garcia kills someone."
Consequences
On Wednesday in a crowded courtroom, Garcia, 22, of Piscataway, was sentenced by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Diane Pincus to 13 years in state prison for causing Harrison's death. He was sentenced to 10 years for vehicular homicide, subject to the No Early Release Act which will require him to serve the first 8 1/2 years before becoming eligible for parole. Garcia also was sentenced to three years in prison for leaving the scene of the fatal crash, a term that will run consecutive to the 10-year prison sentence.
Garcia also is subject to a three-year loss of driver's license once he is released from prison.
Standing next to his attorney Jason Seidman, who has requested an eight-year prison sentence for his client, Garcia apologized to the family Harrison, who was walking to his brother’s home when he was struck.
"I want the family of the victim to know I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I'm not one to take a life. I think about it every day. I still haven't forgiven myself. I don't ask you to forgive me today or tomorrow, but I just pray that one day you can forgive me. I'm just sorry. I apologize," Garcia said. "If I could give my life for his I would. Just forgive me, please. "
Garcia's mother, Victoria Beyerman, and sister, Jennifer Garcia, also expressed their condolences to Harrison’s family, while also requesting leniency from the court.
Seidman said his client made "a terrible mistake" with his "reckless actions" in taking the life of a valuable member of the community. He added Garcia learned of Harrison's death two days after the crash. Harrison is believed to have been struck by the back of Garcia's vehicle.
Pincus however said sorrow and regret doesn't change the consequences of Garcia's actions.
"The terrible reckless manner in which he drove is shocking. This court needs to deter this type of dangerous driving," Pincus said.
EARLIER:Piscataway drag racer pleads guilty in death of New Brunswick vice principal
Loss to a family and community
Harrison’s wife of more than 22 years, Adrienne Harrison, a New Brunswick school district psychologist, in a letter, described her husband as someone others could always depend on to do the right thing, fair-minded and reliable, and determined to achieve a goal even if the odds were against him.
In the letter, she said her husband left their son with a legacy of being a man who was able to help people from all walks of life in both personal and professional capacities. She asked that his death not be in vain for his family, friends and students. She asked that a message be sent to all young people that one should be accountable for the consequence of their actions "to prevent others from the same senseless actions."
Adrienne Harrison, who sat in the courtroom crowded with family and friends, occasionally wiped her eyes during the more than hour-long sentencing before standing to read a Bible verse about praying, not giving up and justice.
Sherese Harrison, sister of Tyrone Harrison, said she wanted Garcia to know the impact of his "horrible" decisions and actions.
“To most people this is about a drag racer that hit and killed a man, but I need you to know that what you did was way more than that. On Oct. 6, 2018, Freddy Garcia, you killed my brother. It pains me to no end to have to speak those words," she said, adding the next day was their father's birthday and instead of celebrating that occasion they had to plan her brother's funeral.
She said the rest of their lives the family will live with a void created by Garcia.
"He left behind many students who he provided guidance and direction. He wore responsibility as a badge of honor. He wasn't just any guy, he was a great man," she said. "With so many negative and evil people in this world you need to know you took one of the good ones out of it.
"For me personally, I lost my big brother and my protector," she said as she broke into tears. "I think what hurts the most is the fact that we will never know if he had the chance to make if you had you done the right thing and called 911 when this happened. Instead in that moment you made a decision to remove your belongings from the car and leave like a weak coward. While you were doing this my brother was lying on the ground and he took his last breath."
Sherese Harrison said she will never forget Garcia's name and will always associated it with the man who took her brother's life.
"I hope you never forget his name, Tyrone Harrison," she said.
Harrison, a former Highland Park High School and Ohio State University football player, had formerly coached football at New Brunswick High School for one season. He was known for focusing on both athletics and academics.
In May, Garcia pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, causing death while driving with a suspended license, filing a false report and hindering his own apprehension.
Car club street racing
Around 9:17 the night of the incident, multiple vehicles were illegally street racing on Stelton Road in Piscataway. Garcia lost control of the 2003 Honda Accord he was driving and struck and killed Harrison near the Ethel Avenue intersection.
Harrison had been walking from the Edison train station to his brother's home when he was struck. He suffered severe blunt-force trauma, killing him before the car went down an embankment off the side of the road and collided with a tree. Harrison, who was located about 20 feet from Garcia's vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Garcia and other drivers are believed to be part of the "78 Imports," a car club that street races on public roads.
Following the crash, Garcia fled the scene and later falsely reported that his car, which was not registered or insured, had been stolen.
Video surveillance of Stelton Road showed the roadway was wet and busy when Garcia's vehicle whipped past other vehicles traveling 65 to 70 mph in a 45-mph zone.
Officials have said Garcia didn't wait for police to respond and instead, removed his clothing and personal items to conceal he was the driver and then went to another car meet. Abrams said DNA on the airbag matched Garcia as the driver.
Sohjah Powell-Warner of Piscataway, pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension of another in the case and was sentenced to probation, officials said. Powell-Warner had been accused of altering the official Facebook page and Instagram posts of the "78 Imports" car club .
Suzanne Russell covers crime, courts, and other forms of mayhem from throughout the Central Jersey area for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact her at srussell@gannettnj.com