Crime & Safety
Montclair Fire Chief's Son Accused of Vehicular Homicide
Harrison Allen, 20, was under the influence of alcohol and speeding when he went through a stop sign and killed two people, the prosecutor's office said.
Written By Paul Milo
The 20-year-old son of Montclair's fire chief was under the influence and speeding when he slammed into another vehicle carrying four Maplewood residents—killing two, including a 16-year-old, and seriously injuring the other two—Tuesday night, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said.
Allen is the son of Montclair Fire Chief Kevin Allen, according to Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office.
Allen’s 2013 Chrysler hit the Sentra with enough force to throw the two front-seat occupants 30 and 60 feet, with one victim striking the railing at the walkway of a nearby home, according to Anthony Ambrose, the chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. The two likely were not wearing their seat belts, Murray said.
Those two victims, Tamir Harry, 16, and Kervin Noel, 21, were killed instantly. Two other men, Rodney Lovius, 21, and Tamir Harry’s brother, Tahsir, 20, had to be extricated by rescuers who removed the roof of the car. Tahsir Harry and Lovius, both of whom were in the back seat, remained in serious condition at University Hospital Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office said.
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All four victims are from Maplewood. A vigil is planned for Thursday at 4 p.m. at the intersection where the accident occurred.
Allen, who was traveling alone, was also hurt but suffered far less severe injuries, officials said. He has been released from the hospital and was being held on $50,000 bail Wednesday.
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Along with the homicide charges, Allen also faces two counts of aggravated assault by auto and motor vehicle offenses, including driving while intoxicated.
Murray said “alcohol and excessive speed were factors in the accident,” but declined to discuss Allen’s blood-alcohol content. It was also unclear where Allen, who Murray said appeared to be employed as a restaurant worker, was heading when the accident occurred.Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
