DIAZCERVO POST

Cop Dead in Crash With Alleged Intoxicated Driver

"We lost one of our family and it's just a time to grieve right now," Mt. Arlington Mayor Art Ondish said.
By Frank Giasone




An intoxicated driver smashed into a police cruiser and killed the Mount Arlington officer inside early Sunday morning, Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said.

Officer Joseph S. Wargo Jr., 38, was pronounced dead at 1:25 a.m. at Morristown Medical Center, about an hour after the crash on Route 80 eastbound, Bianchi said. Police have arrested Michael Cassella, 29, of Howell, on several charges including vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter.

The criminal complaint against Cassella describes him as being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. According to the state Department of Corrections, Cassella had previously been jailed 2009 in Monmouth County on drug convictions, but was released later that year.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless death of Officer Wargo," Bianchi