Prosecutors will ask a judge to sentence Ashley Gergits to 8 years in prison

A woman accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed her passenger in Highland Park has pleaded guilty.

Ashley Gergits, 20, of Edison, pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto, and driving while intoxicated in the February 16 crash, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday.

Gergits was driving a Honda CR-V near the intersection of the Albany Street Bridge and River Road when she struck part of the bridge, not far from the Rutgers New Brunswick Campus. The CR-V bounced off and hit a Subaru Legacy driven by a 31-year-old man from Central Valley, New York.

Front-seat passenger and Edison resident Jenna Adamousky, 21, died from the crash. The other two passengers in the CR-V, 20- and 21-year-old men from Highland Park, were hospitalized, along with the driver of the Subaru.

Prosecutors will ask Superior Court Judge Michael Toto to sentence Gergits to eight years in prison, a term subject to the No Early Release Act -- meaning Gergits would have to serve 85 percent of the term before being eligible for parole. She will also lose her driver's license for 15 years.

Sentencing is currently scheduled for September 4 in New Brunswick.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips 

At Dough Life, it's OK to lick the spoon.

The temptation has always been there.

As mom whipped up a homemade batch of cookies, you couldn't resist dipping your finger into the bowl for a taste of the dough.

Then, when you became an adult, you'd buy a roll of pre-made raw cookie dough, take it home and dive in, never intending for any of it to make it into an oven.

Now you can indulge your cravings in a store that specializes in serving up, well, raw cookie dough.

Dough Life offers a range of raw cookie dough flavors served chilled in cups and in waffle cones, dipped out just like ice cream, crowned with a variety of toppings of your desire.

Founded in upstate New York by Joseph Francabandeiro, the company expanded there and is heading south into New Jersey.

A post shared by Dough Life (@edibledoughlife) on Apr 20, 2018 at 12:10pm PDT

On May 5, Dough Life opens in the Freehold Raceway Mall on Route 9 in Freehold. The grand opening date is being dubbed "Cinco de My Dough," officials say.

At the Detpford Mall on Deptford Center Road in Deptford Township, a sign outside a now-vacant store on the lower level near JC Penney says "Arriving Soon. Dough Life." No date for opening has been given for that store.

Officials say other Dough Life locations are also planned in New Jersey in Menlo Park and Cherry Hill. Dates for those openings are still to be announced.

The menu, according to the Dough Life website, includes hand-dipped signature dough with mini chocolate morsels, mini M&Ms or Oreo cookies. How about dough with caramel, sea salt and dark chocolate or dough with expresso and Nutella whipped in or even peanut butter dough with graham crackers, Fluff and mini chocolate morsels?

Seasonal offerings include pumpkin pie dough with chunks of homemade crust and red velvet dough with white chocolate morsels. And that's all in addition to daily specials and milkshakes and other drinks the stores offer.

Prices for the dough range from $4.99 for a small to $9.99 for a large size. Owners say the dough stays fresh for two weeks.

And what about all those worries about eating raw cookie dough? Forget about it. Dough Life uses no eggs in its dough and the flour is heat-treated to kill any microbes, owners say.

So indulge.

Editor's note: This story initially reported the opening of two locations, however Dough Life confirmed on Wednesday that there are four locations coming to New Jersey in the coming weeks. 

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

All proceeds go toward the sheltering and medical care of homeless animals.

 

SAYREVILLE -- Sammy's Hope Rescue will hold a golf outing at Royce Brook Golf Club on May 2, with all proceeds going toward the sheltering and medical care of homeless animals.

Registration and breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start, scramble format tournament scheduled for 9 a.m. Play will be followed by cocktails at 2 p.m., and, lunch, raffles and awards at 3:30 p.m.

Individual golfers can register early at a cost of $175. A First Responder Special is available for the first 18 police, firefighters and EMTs to register at a cost of $75. Sponsorship opportunities are available and non-golfers are welcome to attend for cocktails, lunch and the awards ceremony for $65.

For more information and to register to participate, go to golfinvite.com/Sammyshope. Royce Brook is located at 201 Hamilton Road in Hillsborough.

Sammy's Hope is a volunteer group in Middlesex County that fosters homeless animals and also cares for them at its shelter at 1400 Main St. in Sayreville.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email middlesex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

A 27-year-old died after being hit by two tractor-trailers

The pedestrian struck and killed by two tractor-trailers while crossing Route 1 in South Brunswick on Tuesday morning has been identified as a 27-year-old from Union County.

Union Count resident Mohammed Alashi was hit at 4:45 a.m. in the northbound lanes just past Henderson Road, police said. He was pronounced dead less than 20 minutes later. 

Police said they didn't have a hometown for Alashi, adding they are still investigating why he entered the road. 

The accident snarled the morning rush with backups as much as three miles while police detoured traffic. 

Route 1 northbound CLOSED at Beekman Road due to serious crash. pic.twitter.com/fPJsvKC5Ib

-- So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) April 24, 2018

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Charles Carley was elected mayor of South Brunswick in a unanimous vote by the Township Council on April 24, 2018.

A municipality whose last two mayors died in office, just over a year apart, has chosen a new leader.

Charles Carley was elected mayor of South Brunswick in a 4-0 vote by the Township Council on Tuesday, Township Manager Bernard Hvozdovic said.

Charles CarleyPhoto courtesy of South Brunswick 

Carley, 51, a South Brunswick councilman since 2005, had been acting mayor following the April 8 death of Christopher Killmurray.

Killmurray, who had been battling brain cancer, became mayor after Mayor Frank Gambatese died in March 2017, just over halfway through his fourth term.

Carley, contacted Wednesday, said that accepting congratulations upon becoming mayor were difficult "under the circumstances."

"It's been an odd couple of years," said Carley, 51, a Democrat like his two immediate predecessors.

Killmurray defeated former Councilman John O'Sullivan, a Republican, last November in the race to complete Gambatese's term, but later decided not seek a full, 4-year term in 2018.

Thank you to the 2,000 mourners who paid respects to our Mayor this past week. His send-off was a reflection of his service to so many - Chief Raymond Hayducka. pic.twitter.com/AjhHpOcCRq

-- So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) April 14, 2018

Carley and O'Sullivan are running unopposed in the June 5 primary election. The candidate filing deadline was six days before Killmurray's death.

South Brunswick is home to about 44,000.

Carley is a married father of two and a civil engineer.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

One person was killed and five others injured on April 25, 2018, after a pickup truck crashed into an SUV in Sayreville.

One person was killed and five others injured in an accident involving a pickup truck and an SUV in Sayreville on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash occurred on Raritan Street around 2:23 p.m., according to a news release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

The driver of the Hyundai SUV, whose name has not yet been released, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was pronounced dead.

He was one of five occupants of the SUV. The other four, two adults and two children, were also taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition, according to the release. Their names were also not released.

An investigation has determined that the driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck, a 17-year old Sayreville resident, drove into the oncoming lane of traffic and crashed into the SUV, according to the prosecutor's office.

The driver, whose name has not been released because of his age, was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center. His condition was not available Wednesday night. At this time no charges have been filed in the crash, authorities said.

The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Sayreville Police Officer David Sivilli at 732-727-4444 or Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Det. Donald Heck at 732-745-8842.

Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Leisure time activities can range from archery to Zumba.

Merriam-Webster defines pastime as "something that amuses and serves to make time pass agreeably" and leisure time as "taking place during time not used for gainful employment."

We all have our favorite things to do when we have "down time." Some people garden, some people jog, others read. In my case, down time often consists of no activity whatsoever.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Here, we've compiled a collection of pictures of people in New Jersey enjoying time away from work, school and chores. And, whether you have a predilection for physical activity or you enjoy a sedentary lifestyle, we think you'll find a photo or two that speaks to you.

And here are links to past galleries on games and pastimes.

Vintage photos of fun and games in N.J.

Vintage photos of games people played in N.J.

Vintage photos of N.J. games and pastimes

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The buzz is just starting around the guys on this list.

NJ Advance Media has put together a list of the top girls lacrosse seniors. Vote for the No. 1 player at the bottom.

A Middlesex County Animal group claims someone is leaving abused dogs on the side of Rt. 1, after two similar dogs were found in the same area within a week's time.

Police are investigating after two abused dogs were found abandoned on the side of Route 1 in Middlesex Couunty within 10 days.

One of the dogs died after being hit by a car. The other is being nursed back to health. 

Woodbridge police were called April 12 after a dog was struck by a car on Route 1, just past Woodbridge Center Drive. The dog was taken to a Woodbridge Township veterinarian but later died, according to township spokesperson John Hagerty.

Ten days later, a woman reported a dog wandering in median of Route 1 in nearly the same location, Hagerty said.

The location of the abandoned dogs and the similarities in their appearance raised concerns. Both dogs are red and white pit bull-mixes between 3 and 4 years old, leading to an investigation by police and the Woodbridge Township Animal Shelter.

The volunteer Woodbridge Animal Group said in a Facebook post that both dogs had the same collar, were around the same age, and had signs of "urine irritation," leading them to believe the dogs were crated in their own filth.

The animal group made a plea to the owner to bring any dogs they can no longer care for to the Woodbridge Animal Shelter.  

The Woodbridge Township Animal Control Office asked the public to contact the animal shelter with any information at 732-855-0600 x2034.

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.

An international pipeline. A scandalous photograph. Racial taunting. See which New Jersey sports scandals over the past decade have resonated the most.

Poppie's owner became ill and could no longer care for her.

Poppie 

OLD BRIDGE -- Poppie is a 13-year-old female cat at the Old Bridge Animal Shelter.

She was surrendered to the shelter when her owner became ill and could no longer care for her.

Shelter workers say Poppie "wants nothing more than to lay on someone's lap and be loved all day." A home where she would be an only-pet is needed for Poppie, who is FIV/FeLV negative, spayed and up-to-date on shots.

To meet Poppie and other adoptable pets at the Old Bridge Animal Shelter, visit the shelter at One Old Bridge Plaza. The shelter is open every day from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 732-721-5600, ext. 6300 or email mjeffries@oldbridge.com.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email middlesex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Wood, a correspondent for "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah," brings his stand-up routine to the Stress Factory Comedy Club. May 3-5.

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. takes the stage at New Brunswick's Stress Factory Comedy Club for five shows May 3 to 5. Nicol Biesek 

As a correspondent for "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah," Roy Wood Jr. reports on serious issues -- racism, the 50th anniversary of the federal Fair Housing Act -- in a humorous manner.

But when the comedian brings his stand-up to Vinnie Brand's Stress Factory Comedy Club for five shows May 3-5, fans can expect to see Wood's righteous anger directed at smaller targets, a style that Entertainment Weekly called "charismatic crankiness."

"I'm just the guy who is angry about all the wrong things," Wood said in an interview with NJ Advance Media. "I'm angry about a lot of stuff that doesn't matter. I could be angry about bigger issue, like global warming, but I'm the guy mad that the McRib isn't available year-round."

Wood crams more work into a month than some people do in a year. In addition to his "Daily Show" correspondent gig, he's hosting the latest season of Comedy Central's "This is Not Happening." The network will also air the buddy comedy "Re-Established," which Wood co-created. In the half-hour show, he'll star as a probation officer willing to break the rules for his parolees, much to the distress of his partner.

"If Steve Harvey has eight jobs, I can juggle three," the 39-year-old funnyman said. 

He's always been a hard worker. Wood was a 19-year-old broadcast journalism major at Florida A&M University when he discovered his flair for funny. He dabbled in radio and TV while also driving around the country performing stand-up. In 2010, he competed on "Last Comic Standing," finishing seventh. Between 2011 and 2015, he guest starred on the TBS' sitcom "Sullivan & Son."

Then came "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." Since he joined the cast, Wood's profile has steadily grown. A sign that he's becoming a known quantity? The New York Times featured him in a January "Sunday Routine" column. It noted that Wood, who lives in Hell's Kitchen, makes his toddler son breakfast in the morning, watches "Black Mirror" with his girlfriend, tests new material at the Comedy Cellar in the evening and squeezes in a call to his mother, who still lives in his home state of Alabama.

"That's what they wanted to ask," he shrugged. "I find it more interesting than Michael Strahan having a regular brunch spot."

As he's toured the country, Wood has found that jokes that work in one city may not work in another. 

"You do a joke about college football in California, it's going to go over a lot differently in Georgia," he said.

Still, he said, people are more similar than they think. 

"We're all human beings going through a shared experience concurrently," he said. "i think, at the end of the day, I love what I do and I think the people of New Jersey will see that on my face.

"And if not, at least there's alcohol."

ROY WOOD JR. 

Vinnie Brand's Stress Factory Comedy Club

90 Church St., New Brunswick

Tickets: $20-$42, available online at http://stressfactorycomedyclub.laughstub.com. May 3 - 5.

Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.  

SPOTSWOOD -- This photo was taken at the Spotswood Hotel and Bowling Alley on April 17, 1937. The neatly dressed bowlers were, from left, Kenneth Hodapp, Robert Mott, William Goldsmith and George Siegel. MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey Writing on www1.gmnews.com, Chris Zawistowski notes that the hotel was located on the corner of Vliet and Main streets and also...

SPOTSWOOD -- This photo was taken at the Spotswood Hotel and Bowling Alley on April 17, 1937. The neatly dressed bowlers were, from left, Kenneth Hodapp, Robert Mott, William Goldsmith and George Siegel.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Writing on www1.gmnews.com, Chris Zawistowski notes that the hotel was located on the corner of Vliet and Main streets and also housed a bar and grill as well as a sporting goods store.

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to middlesex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The sister used her position at a business to re-direct money to shell companies the siblings established

Two siblings have been convicted of orchestrating a fraudulent invoice scheme that stole more than $1 million from the company where one of them worked. 

A jury sitting in Trenton deliberated for an hour Thursday before finding Shevandra Verasawmi, 38, of Matawan, and Vishallie Verasawmi, 37, of Green Brook, guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three counts of mail fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey said in a statement.

The trial lasted for a week.

The siblings face up to 20 years in prison for each count when they are sentenced Aug. 7. Prosecutors also want the pair to forfeit $1,066,830 and a 2016 BMW 750Li xDrive sedan. The brother and sister attempted to steal $3.7 million, officials said.  

Garden State Parkway local lanes closure to cause major delays all weekend

The Verasawmis set up shell companies and then Vishallie Verasawmis used her position at the business to add the shell companies to her employer's accounts payable system, authorities said. 

They then submitted dozens of fraudulent invoices for services they never provided and deposited the proceeds into bank accounts they controlled. The money was spent on personal expenses, including the luxury car, and credit card payments. The scam ran from April to August 2016. 

The indictment didn't identify the New Brunswick company by name, but describes it as a "provider of medical services."

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 

What were some of the bigger story lines to come out of high school softball fields recently.

Take a look at the top talent in the Class of 2020.

Who is the top junior in N.J.? Have your say!

See the players and teams that stood out this week across N.J.

A 17-year-old driver crossed into ongoing traffic before the deadly crash, according to investigators.

Authorities on Friday identified the driver killed in a Sayreville wreck as a 47-year-old man from Colombia who was visiting the area.

Carlos Leiva died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after the Hyundai SUV he was driving was hit by a Dodge Ram pickup truck around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday on Raritan Street, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Two adults and two children in the SUV were also injured and hospitalized in stable condition, the prosecutor's office said in a news release. Leiva was with unnamed family members when the deadly crash occurred.

The Dodge pickup truck driver, a 17-year old Sayreville resident, drove into the oncoming lane and hit the SUV, according to the prosecutor's office. The teen was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center with unspecified injuries.

Authorities said the investigation was continuing. Anyone with information can call Officer David Sivilli at 732-727-4444, or Detective Donald Heck at 732-745-8842.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.