Woodbury, NJ – A jury found Gabriel H. Woolson, 26, of Williamstown, guilty of death by auto before the Honorable Russell DePersia, J.S.C., Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns announced.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in open court: At 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2022, Woolson was driving his 2011 Chevrolet Corvette ZR 1 westbound on the South Black Horse Pike in Williamstown at an extremely high rate of speed. Evan Silverstein, 52, of Marlton, had been traveling eastbound on the same road before making a left turn across the westbound lanes of travel. Woolson struck the victim’s vehicle, severing the car in half and launching the front half more than 100 feet into the parking lot of a strip mall. Silverstein was ejected from the vehicle and suffered catastrophic, fatal injuries. A passenger in Woolson’s vehicle was also injured.
An investigation determined that Woolson’s vehicle reached a speed of 119 mph three seconds before the crash and the brakes had not been activated until about one second before the crash.
During the trial, the State presented numerous witnesses including an eyewitness to the crash and several expert witnesses.
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The jury found Woolson guilty of second-degree death by auto. Judge DePersia also found Woolson guilty of reckless driving and speeding and not guilty on a charge of assault by auto for causing injury to his passenger.
Woolson faces a maximum of 10 years in state prison for the second-degree charge and fines and penalties on the traffic offenses. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21, 2026.
The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Grekstas and Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joseph A. Brook.
Prosecutor Johns thanked the Monroe Township Police Department, the GCPO High Tech Crimes Unit, the Gloucester County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance in the investigation that led to this verdict.
Defense Counsel: Vincent Campo of the Law Offices of Hoffman Dimuzio.