South Jersey prosecutors are pursuing death by auto charges against two drivers who were behind the wheel of cars that were involved in separate deadly crashes.

In Gloucester County, a man was charged this week with causing the death of a 57-year-old woman and injuring her 62-year-old husband, who were struck while riding their bicycles last week.

A Pennsylvania man, meanwhile, was arrested this week after being indicted on charges of causing a wreck that killed his own wife and another man on an Atlantic County highway in 2015.

The Gloucester crash happened Feb. 15 in Franklin.

Emilio Ortega, charged in Gloucester County fatal crash. (Salem County Jail)
Emilio Ortega, charged in Gloucester County fatal crash. (Salem County Jail)
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Emilio Ortega, 41, of Monroeville, was driving his car south on Route 47 when he hit Susan L. Kinnan and John D. Kinnan Jr., who were cycling on the shoulder of the road, prosecutors said. Susan L. Kinnan later died at Cooper Hospital in Camden.

Police say Ortega had illegal Xanax on his possession at the time of the crash. After the victim’s death, prosecutors filed the new death by auto charge against Ortega while he was still in Salem County Jail, where he remains.

In Atlantic County, prosecutors moved forward with their case stemming from the July 11, 2015, crash on Route 49 in Estelle Manor.

Tolley, died in 2015 crash in Atlantic County. (Mauger Givnish Funeral Home)
Tolley, died in 2015 crash in Atlantic County. (Mauger Givnish Funeral Home)
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A grand jury this month indicted Albert R. Tolley, 65, on two counts of second-degree death by auto.

Prosecutors say Tolley caused the double-fatal crash when he improperly passed cars, slamming head-on against a car driven by a 72-year-old woman.

Tolley’s wife — Suzanne Tolley, 61, of Malvern, Pennsylvania – and the husband of the other driver – Joseph Kunak, 72, of Dravosburg, Pennsylvania — died as a result of the crash.

Tolley was arrested Thursday in Cape May County by U.S. Marshals.

He also faces motor vehicle violations of reckless driving, improper passing and failure to maintain lane.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him
news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremed
ia.com
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