September 11, 2022
MAYS LANDING, NJ – On September 9, 2022, Judge Dorothy Incarvito-Garrabrant revoked the release of a woman who was involved in the June 19, 2020, crash that killed off-duty New Jersey Human Services Police Officer, Michael Luko Sr.
Taquaysha Bell, 30, of Trenton, NJ, has been indicted on the following charges:
• Vehicular Homicide, 2nd degree; and
• Assault by Auto, (related to 39:4-50 Driving While Intoxicated) 3rd degree.
On December 21, 2021, Bell was released from jail with conditions pending trial of the above charges, over the State’s objection.
On August 19, 2022, Bell was involved in another motor vehicle accident in Trenton where she injured a bicyclist and left the scene. As a result, Bell was charged with failing to report an accident and leaving the scene of an accident involving bodily injury.
Based on those violations, the State moved to have Bell’s release revoked and requested that she remain incarcerated pending trial in the vehicular homicide case. Judge Garrabrant granted the State’s motion stating that Bell’s conduct is a danger to the community.
Bell’s next court date in Atlantic County for the vehicular homicide is scheduled for October 28, 2022.
Assistant Prosecutor Tiffany deGrandmaison represents the State in this matter.
Anyone with information on this matter is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609- 909-7800 or anonymously at the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at https://www.acpo.org/forms/tipscrime-reporting/.
People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ***
Taquaysha Bell, 30, of Trenton, NJ, has been indicted on the following charges:
• Vehicular Homicide, 2nd degree; and
• Assault by Auto, (related to 39:4-50 Driving While Intoxicated) 3rd degree.
From a December 22, 2021 press release from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office:
MAYS LANDING- A Trenton woman has been arrested and charged in connection to a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred in June 2020, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill announced.
On Dec. 15, 2021, detectives of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force assisted in the arrest of Taquaysha Bell, 29, at her residence in Trenton. Bell was charged with Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto in connection to a motor vehicle crash that occurred on June 19, 2020, on the White Horse Pike in Hammonton.
Following Bell’s arrest, she was turned over to the detectives of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Investigations Unit and the Hammonton Police Department for processing.
On June 19, 2020, Bell was traveling westbound on the White Horse Pike when she entered the oncoming lane and struck a vehicle head-on, operated by Michael Luko of Mays Landing. Luko, 53, was an officer with the New Jersey Human Services Police Department and he was traveling home from work. Luko was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Robinson represents the state in this matter.
***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. ***
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Anyone with information about serious crimes is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at https://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
From June 20, 2020 Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Press Relase:
MAYS LANDING- An investigation is underway after a 53 year-old Mays Landing man was killed Friday night in a crash on the White Horse Pike, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
An initial investigation by the ACPO Crash Investigations Unit determined that Taquaysha Bell, 28, of Trenton was traveling westbound on the White Horse Pike in a 2010 Chevy Silverado. At 11:07 p.m., near the intersection of Moss Mill Road, Bell crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a 2003 Honda Civic, operated by Michael Luko Sr., who serves as an officer with the New Jersey Human Services Police Department and was traveling home from work. Following the crash, Officer Luko was transported to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center – Mainland Division where he was pronounced deceased at 12:22 A.M.
Bell was also transported to ACRMC – Mainland Division for treatment and a blood sample was taken for toxicology analysis.
A rear seat passenger in Bell’s vehicle, Chanelle Morgan, 28, of Trenton, was transported to ACRMC – City Division where she was undergoing surgery.
Two additional male passengers were transported in the ambulances with the Bell and Morgan, but neither was injured and left the hospital without being admitted or treated.
At this time the crash is an ongoing cooperative investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Crash Investigations Unit and the Hammonton Police Department. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 909-7692.