A New Jersey man has admitted to driving his new luxury sports car in a reckless manner before it crashed into an SUV, killing the driver, who was a 92-year-old great grandfather and retired teacher.
Scott Lieberman on Tuesday pleaded guilty to third-degree vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Albert Schnellbacher, according to NJ Advance Media. It came as part of a plea deal that saw prosecutors drop a more serious charge of second-degree reckless manslaughter.
“The family is satisfied that Mr. Lieberman has finally taken responsibility for his reckless conduct by admitting in open court that he was responsible for the death of Mr. Schnellbacher,” attorney Robert Linder to the outlet.
The deadly crash occurred on June 25, 2022, some two weeks after Lieberman purchased his 2022 Ferrari Competizione in Rockland County, New York. Police said he slammed into Schnellbacher’s 2008 SUV at about 2 p.m., as it attempted to turn left at the intersection of Windsor and Briarcliffe roads in Teaneck.
Following the crash, Liberman filed a lawsuit against Ferrari, accusing the car maker of failing to address the vehicle’s recalled braking system. He has also acknowledged that his car’s mechanical issues were not the cause of the crash. He admitted on Tuesday that he was speeding and crossed over the yellow line just before he hit Schnellbacher.
Prosecutors said they will seek prison time for Lieberman while the defense plans to push for probation. He is slated to be sentenced in October.
