An East Rutherford man has been sentenced to five years in state prison in connection with a fatal single-vehicle crash that killed his passenger in Roxbury Township last year, Morris County authorities said.

Alexander Serrano, 34, pleaded guilty April 13 to one count of reckless vehicular homicide before Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna. On June 18, Hanna sentenced Serrano to five years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

The crash happened about 5:30 a.m. April 28, 2025, at the intersection of Howard Boulevard and Ledgewood Road/Mt. Arlington Road. Authorities said a 2003 Chevy Express van driven by Serrano crashed into a tree and sustained heavy damage.

The van’s front-seat passenger, Esmeralda Melchar, 30, of East Rutherford, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said Serrano showed signs of being under the influence at the scene. He was taken to Morristown Medical Center for treatment and later transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he was charged.