Teen Dies In South Jersey Hit-And-Run

A South Jersey woman is facing multiple charges in a fatal hit-and-run accident

Police said Paula Cicchinelli, 55, was driving drunk around 9 p.m. Tuesday when she hit Nick Marvel (pictured, left), 18, who was walking with some friends along the shoulder of Route 9, near Seaview Avenue in Linwood, N.J.

Witnesses said that Cicchinelli kept going after allegedly hitting the teen, but was eventually caught. Marvel was pronounced dead at Atlantic City Medical Center a short time later.

The crash broke the windshield of her Toyota, and shattered a family. Now, Marvel's parents are trying to cope with the reality that their son has taken his final steps.

"I hope this haunts her for the rest of her life. I really do. You don't do this to somebody," said Donnah Marvel, Nick's mother.

"I don't even understand it. She drove straight, swerved in and hit him, and just kept on driving straight again," said Doug Woodward, a friend of the victim.

After receiving a tip, police said they found both the vehicle and Cicchinelli at her home in Somers Point about three hours after the crash. Although they won't comment on the results of a breathalyzer test, authorities say her breath smelled of alcohol.

Cicchinelli was arrested and charged with several offenses, including leaving the scene of a fatal accident and driving under the influence. Cicchinelli was released after posting bail.

"It's ignorance, it totally was, and I'll have to leave it at that because I don't want to lower myself to her standards," said Herman Marvel, Nick's father.

The case will be reviewed by the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office, which will make the determination about whether any additional charges should be filed.