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EHC man sentenced in Absecon crash that killed 8-year-old boy

Javi's loved ones cheered as Johnston was handcuffed.


  • Crime-Courts

Kaylah Smith said she waited 660 days, 94 weeks and 21 days to finally be able to confront the drunk driver who killed her son. 

Javier Velez had turned 8 just two weeks before he crawled into the back seat of his father's car to doze off while Orlando Velez and his other son packed up from a morning of fishing in Absecon. 

"Wake me up when we get home," Javi told his dad. 

But that would not happen. Instead, Edward Johnston would come speeding around a curve on Absecon Boulevard at 107 mph — 57 mph above the speed limit — after a night of drinking in Atlantic City, striking the car with Javi inside. 

"This is what you did to my son," Smith told Velez at his sentencing, holding up a photo of the totaled car. 

In front of her was a box with Javi's picture, and his remains inside. 

    Kaylah Smith shows Edward Johnston a photo of the car after he crashed into it, killing her son.
 
 

It was not an accident, as has been said Smith insisted. Getting behind the wheel after a night that included buying six Red Bull and vodkas at Boogie Nights was a decision. 

Judge Joseph Levin agreed, telling the grieving mother that she gave him a new view that he had not realized fully in his 30 years in law. 

He sentenced Johnston to 15 years in prison under the plea agreement. 

The sentencing was filled with tears, anger and strong emotions as family members addressed Johnston, including Orlando Velez, who talked about how he could not get to his son trapped inside the car. 

Javi's Aunts Kaylin Snyder and Alisha Velez talked of the hole left in their family and how Johnston will still have time to live his life when he is released while Javi's was ended before any of the milestones Johnston already has attained in his life. 

Johnston tearfully apologized to the family, saying he knew they would likely never forgive him, and that he does not blame them. 

    Edward Johnston addresses the court.
 
 

He was taken into custody following the sentencing, after being free since shortly after his arrest. 

Those gathered applauded and cheered as Johnston was cuffed. 

"Justice for Javi!" they yelled. 

The prosecutor lauded Smith during a press conference following the sentencing.

 

author

Lynda Cohen

BreakingAC founder who previously worked in newspapers for more than two decades. She is an NJPA award-winner and was a Stories of Atlantic City fellow.



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