TCNJ student dies of injuries from Sunday head-on crash
EWING >> One of the students injured in a head-on crash early Sunday has died.
“Michael was an outstanding student, and a trusted and caring friend with a bright future ahead of him,” The College of New Jersey President Kathryn Foster said in a written statement regarding the student’s death. “This news is heartbreaking. The TCNJ community is keeping his family, friends, and loved ones in its thoughts during this tremendously difficult time.”
Michael Sot, 20, was a TCNJ math major from Clark. He was a designated driver for the night when the Dodge Charger he operated collided with a Kia Optima driven by 22-year-old David Lamar V, who police say was impaired while driving.
Police say Lamar was driving southbound on Pennington Road when his vehicle crossed over the double yellow lines and struck the other vehicle, which was traveling northbound.
A total of eight people were hurt in the crash. According to a GoFundMe page setup specifically for Sot, he suffered head trauma that required surgery, a punctured lung, fractured vertebrae and many broken bones.
Lamar was charged with seven counts of assault by auto. But now that Sot has died, Lamar has been charged with an additional count of vehicular homicide, according to prosecutors in the case.
“Our focus over the coming days and weeks will be on helping our campus community process this devastating loss and providing appropriate resources to those who need assistance,” Foster said.