Angelo Dimeglio admitted to underreporting his taxable income in 2011, court documents show.

NEWARK -- The president of a Belle Mead landscaping business Tuesday admitted to a tax evasion charge that he tried to hide more than $500,000 in income from the Internal Revenue Service. 

Angelo Dimeglio of Lawrenceville, the president of Caliper Farms Nursery, pleaded guilty to a charge that he falsified his income tax return for 2011. Prosecutors had charged him with falsifying his returns for other years as well, records show. 

He entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Jose Linares. 

"As we continue with this year's filing season, today's guilty plea by Mr. Dimeglio should serve as a strong reminder that IRS-Criminal Investigation takes criminal violations of our nation's tax laws very seriously," Jonathan D. Larsen, special agent in charge at the IRS' Newark Field Office, said in a prepared statement.

According to court documents, Dimeglio regularly cashed or deposited customer checks into his personal bank account or accounts controlled by family members. He also wrote checks from the business payable to himself or family members, they said. He then gave false information to his tax preparer, according to the IRS.

Preparer pleas in The Situation tax case

In 2011, court records show, Dimeglio reported taxable income of $25,896 -- failing to report additional income of $520,968 from Caliper Farms. The additional tax due on that income would have been $158,619, according to the IRS. 

For the other years for which Dimeglio was charged, the IRS said, he failed to report $1.6 million in additional income, causing a tax loss to the government of $429,898. 

The count to which Dimeglio pleaded carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, as well as a fine. As part of his plea deal, Dimeglio also agreed to allow the IRS criminal staff to turn over his file to attorneys to investigate possible civil penalties. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced June 11. 

Tim Darragh may be reached at tdarragh@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @timdarragh. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The Big Apple Circus held an autism-friendly show on Tuesday during its stop in Bridgewater.

BRIDGEWATER -- The lights and sound were a little bit lower but the fun was just as high.

The Big Apple Circus, as part of the Circus Embraces Autism, adapted one of its shows Tuesday for children and adults on the autism spectrum.

"Not everyone enjoys the show in the same way," said Dina Paul-Parks of the Big Apple Circus. 

"The show is the same, what is adapted are the lights and sound," she added.

If it is too much the circus has a quiet room with bean bags and coloring books where the kids can take a breather.

N.J.'s high autism rate

The crowd really enjoyed the dog act and laughed along with the clowns. Getting a bucket of water tossed in a clowns face is funny every time and on the third time the crowd screamed in laughter.

The Wheel of Wonder with Erick Dominguez and Jayson Dominiguez running around inside and outside of a giant exercise wheel caused more than a few gasps of fright from the audience.

Kartik Dubey, 10 from Iselin had a pair of ear muffs for sound protection and enjoyed the show with his mother Bharti Dubey.

"I went to it as a kid and these guys got the big top experience," said William Heins of YCS Sawtelle Learning Centers in Montclair, which works with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The center brought 45 students and 25 staff to the show.

"It was pretty fun," said a student.

This was the only performance adapted for those with autism. The circus has performances under its big top outside TD Bank Ballpark everyday, except Mondays, through March 13.

Fashions from the '70s: tube tops and overalls, tank tops and cutoffs, sizzler skirts and ponchos, flannel shirts and cords.

When I was a little kid, men wore hats.

I made it look GOOD.Courtesy of Sacred Heart High School 

It's my understanding that President Kennedy, who rarely -- if ever -- wore a hat, was instrumental in getting men to doff their chapeaus permanently. I can't forgive him for that because I've always thought hats were classy. And, they serve a far more useful purpose than, say, neckties ever have.

Keeping up with fashion was never "a thing" for me. I grew up among neighbors and friends who weren't terribly wealthy, so what we wore was never an all-out competition. And, fortunately when I was a kid, "must have" sneakers didn't cost $250 a pair; a pair of Chucks did just fine.

That doesn't mean, however, that I don't recall the trends of my youth.

In no particular order, I remember a mixture of male and female trends that seemed to come and go almost as fast as the one-hit wonders on the radio. There were tube tops and overalls, tank tops and cutoffs, sizzler skirts and ponchos, flannel shirts and cords (you know, corduroys), platform shoes and earth shoes, flares and ridiculously wide bell bottoms, horizontal and vertical stripes.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

Instyle.com says that '70s fashions are making a comeback. Floral dresses (a la Ali McGraw in "Love Story") and flared pants (a la any of Charlie's Angels), peasant blouses and lace-up sandals seem to be showing up again on runways. Hopefully, men's clothing won't take a turn back to that era; take a look at this collection of fashion ads for men's clothing from the '70s and I think you'll agree

That being said, every era had its own style, tasteful and functional or otherwise. Here's a gallery of what folks wore New Jersey through the years. Can't get enough? Here's a link to last year's gallery.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

What's inside the warehouse on Minneakoning Road is unlike anything you'd expect from a gun range. Watch video

RARITAN TWP.-- After more than two years of research, planning and development, Hunterdon County residents Joan and Dan Suk have opened Tactical Training Center, the county's first indoor gun range.

Dan, a handgun enthusiast, had experienced the need for a range after a local spot closed. Open since mid-February, the range has seen a huge turnout from the community, and Dan said he's thankful for their patience and support as the facility acquired its licenses and permits.

What's inside the warehouse on Minneakoning Road is unlike anything you'd expect from a gun range. The doors are carved mahogany, there are paintings by local artists on the walls, cupcakes for sale at the register and even a VIP room with leather armchairs, an antique chess set and a wall of books.

"I've walked into ranges where immediately I walk in and I tense up, and I didn't want that here," said Joan Suk, who serves as the chief executive officer. "I want people, especially anyone who has never shot before, to not be intimidated to come in and learn." 

5 things to know about N.J. gun laws

With a staff of former military and law enforcement, Tactical Training Center aims to offer a fully immersive experience for both firearms experts and novices, offering NRA courses, basic pistol classes for women and advanced training.

"Firearm skills are something that need to develop over time, and we are all about making sure people are doing the right thing," said Director of Training Scott Lessig, who is a former sergeant with the Raritan Township Police Department. "Basically they're not going to leave here with a false sense of security."

Director of Operations Damian Bauman, a police lieutenant recently retired after 25 years with the Bridgewater Township Police Department, said the name "tactical training" comes from the Suks' vision to increase a firearms user's skill set.

The facility offers walk-ins and memberships for customers who have their own gun, and will soon be offering rentals that would allow someone to try different firearms and see what the best fit is before purchasing.

"When you buy a handgun it comes in a box and you think 'OK, well what do you do with it,'" said Dan. "It's not like a car; it doesn't come with basic instructions."

 

Lessig said that it takes anywhere from 20-40 hours to learn how to use a handgun properly, but that once people come in and take the time to learn, it becomes a whole new hobby for them.

"Someone might master something relatively simple, and might want to move onto something more complex, and we offer that training," he said.

What they don't want, is someone purchasing a firearm for self defense and never using it.

"That's kind of like the worst case scenario: To buy a firearm, stick it in your closet and never touch it again. People need to have education to a certain level if they're going to own a firearm, period," Lessig said.

How well do you know New Jersey's gun laws?

Marrying technology, with comfort and safety, each element to the facility was designed with the shooter in mind. 

The experience begins with required viewing of an 8-minute range safety video by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Then it's off to the 40-yard long range with spacious 4-foot-wide ports and supervised by two range safety officers. 

To shoot, targets come in all shapes and sizes, as well as tactical targets that switch from back to front or move left to right, teaching a higher level of shooting for sport and self defense.

And inside the range, bullets and casings are contained, and an HVAC unit introduces clean air every 90 seconds to filter out lead and cordite.

When the shooting is done, lockers are available for rental for anyone looking to store their firearm in a secure location and adhere to the state's concealed carry laws.

Range and store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. For range, rental and membership rates visit tacticaltrainingcenternj.com.

Emily Cummins may be reached at ecummins@njadvancemedia.com Follow her on Twitter @EmilyACummins and Facebook.

A janitor videotaped the women over an 11-month period in an office building in Somerset County, attorneys said.

HACKENSACK - Twenty-nine women who were surreptitiously videotaped using a restroom in an office building settled their lawsuit Wednesday for $940,000, attorneys said Thursday.

A janitor videotaped the women over an 11-month period in the building at 400 Atrium Drive in Somerset, attorneys said.

The tapings began in January 2009 but were not discovered until Nov. 25, 2009, according to Neel Bhuta, an associate with Locks Law, which represented the women.

According to the lawsuit, the women suffered severe and permanent psychological trauma as a result of the videotaping.

The settlement was reached as prospective jurors were entering the courtroom to be picked, an attorney said.

 "This was a long, drawn out case," said Michael Galpern, an attorney for the women. The suit was filed in September 2013.

Authorities identified the janitor as Teodoro Martinez, then 26, of Edgewood Terrace in South Bound Brook.

The lawsuit claimed Martinez had "unfettered and unlimited access to the women's restroom."

Attorneys say Martinez has fled the country and is believed to be living in Mexico.

At the time, Franklin Township police recovered a small device wrapped in black electrical tape with a USB port containing audio and visual recordings of a restroom.

Included were footage of women using the bathroom and images of the individual who installed the device in the ceiling, according to investigative records released at the time.

The women sued Martinez's employer, CRS Janitorial Services, which is based in Elmwood Park.

The lawsuit claimed Martinez's employer failed to "exercise reasonable care" in hiring Martinez and determining whether he was "unfit or dangerous."

In addition to Locks Law Firm, the women were represented by Franklin Solomon, of Solomon Law Firm and co-counsel Hill Wallack LLP.

The defendants in the trial included CRS; the building security company, Planned Security Services, the building owner, I&G Garden State and the property manager, Jones Lang LaSalle. 

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Canonical law from 1917 directed that "women (in church) shall have a covered head."

NORTH PLAINFIELD -- In this photo by Louis Caruso taken in the 1950s, women can be seen wearing head coverings during Mass at St. Joseph's Church in North Plainfield.

According to catholic.com, canonical law from 1917 directed that "women (in church) shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord."

The site goes on to point out that "in the 1970s there was a judgment issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that basically stated that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, it was no longer mandatory for women to wear them."

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to somerset@starledger.com or hunterdon@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries Thursdays on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

 

Church wants to convert a barn into a sanctuary but plan rejected by township zoning board of adjustment.

Federal courthouse in Newark. (File photo)

HILLSBOROUGH -- A church has filed suit in federal court against the township after its Zoning Board of Adjustment voted down an application to renovate a barn into a sanctuary, according to a report on mycentraljersey.com.

In its suit, the Christian Community Chapel alleges its right to the free exercise of religion has been violated, according to the report.

Last year, the church filed an application to convert a barn on South Branch Road opposite Norz Farm into a sanctuary, but it was rejected by the zoning board of adjustment by a 4-3 vote. Five votes were needed because a variance was necessary, according to the report.

Commission votes to raze Duke mansion

The church purchased a vacant 14-acre property at 121 South Branch Road that had been used as a residence, studio and farm by artist Marilyn Honig. The plan was to renovate the barn into a sanctuary with seating for 150 people on the upper level and a fellowship hall on the lower level. The residence would serve as a parsonage, according to the report.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

More than 40 hounds were safely evacuated from the burning barn at the Essex Hunt Club in Peapack-Gladstone on Thursday.

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE -- Firefighters extinguished an early-morning fire Thursday at the Essex Hunt Club, which houses more than 40 hounds who were safely evacuated, according to a news release from borough Police Chief Gregory Skinner.

At 4:51 a.m., borough police, fire department and first aid and rescue squad responded to a report of a barn fire at 48 Holland Road by an employee of the Essex Hunt Club who was arriving to work, police said.

A semi-detached building was on fire. It is part of a larger barn complex which belongs to the Essex Fox Hounds and houses more than 40 hounds, police said.

The two-alarm blaze was under control by 5:40 a.m. and was contained to the one structure. The attached barns were not damaged and there were no injuries, authorities reported.

N.J. firefighters get pet oxygen masks

In addition to the Peapack-Gladstone Department, the Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department, Pottersville Fire Company, Bernardsville Fire Company, Chester Fire Company, Liberty Corner Fire Company and the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management Fire Coordinators all responded to the blaze.

The Peapack-Gladstone First Aid and Rescue Squad was assisted by the Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad and the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management Emergency Medical Coordinators.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is not considered suspicious, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the fire to call 908-234-0626 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org. All anonymous Crime Stoppers tips will be kept confidential.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

All this week's questions are based on stories you've seen on NJ.com.

Prove you know New Jersey news by taking NJ.com's weekly news quiz. The seven questions below are based on the top New Jersey stories of the week gone by. Once you're done, share your score in comments to see how you stack up with other NJ.com users. And please, no Googling.

There's a fresh news quiz every Thursday on NJ.com.

John Shabe can be reached via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

An accident on the eastbound side of Interstate 78 in Tewksbury Township has shut down two lanes on Friday, March 6, 2016.

Update: The township where the accident occurred has been updated.

A tractor-trailer trailer involved in an accident Friday morning on eastbound Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County is blocking two lanes and causing delays, according to 511nj.org.

The accident was reported shortly before 6:30 a.m. and is west of exit 24 (Route 523) in Tewksbury Township. The left and center lanes are blocked because of a bulldozer that fell off the back of the trailer.

Eastbound delays stretch back 4-miles to the Route 31 interchange in Clinton Township. Light snow is falling and there is fog in the area. The National Weather Service forecast calls for the snow to end this morning with less than a half-inch of accumulation.

Only one private school in Hunterdon County announced a weather-related delayed opening this morning.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, a test on your knowledge about everything Irish.

The Inside Jersey Challenge is posted the first Friday of each month. Created by Greg Hatala, the quiz tests your knowledge of New Jersey people, places and things. This month, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, we're focusing on everything Irish. Answer the 10 questions below, and then share your score in comments to see how you stack up against others. Good luck!

Sammy is compatible with other dogs, medium to large size.

Sammy 

FLEMINGTON -- Sammy is 31/2-year-old brindle male greyhound recently rescued from Daytona, Fla., by the New Jersey Greyhound Adoption Program.

The 88-pound Sammy has been described by volunteers as an energetic, playful dog who would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard.

He is compatible with other dogs, medium to large size, but not compatible with cats.

Sammy is crate-trained; he has been neutered and is up-to-date on shots.

To learn more about adopting Sammy, contact NJGAP at 908-713-9344 or complete an online application at njgap.com. NJGAP has rescued more than 2,500 ex-racing greyhounds since 1993.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email somerset@starledger.com or hunterdon@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

 

An accident on Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County early in the morning on March 4 has caused significant delays on the eastbound side of the expressway, and on southbound Route 22 and 31.

TEWKSBURY -- A tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 78 east injured one person and forced the closure of multiple lanes after a bulldozer was thrown from the trailer onto the highway, authorities said.

Massive delays continued through the morning rush hour in Hunterdon and Somerset counties as a result of the 6 a.m. crash. All three eastbound lanes were initially blocked.

The injured person was was taken to Morristown Medical Center by the Whitehouse Rescue Squad and paramedics. The extent of the injuries was not immediately available.

The lane closures initially resulted in traffic being narrowed to just the shoulder in the area of the accident, near mile marker 24 just east of the Taylor Mills Road overpass.

Light snow to end, but blustery Friday ahead

By 6:30 a.m., eastbound traffic stretched back about 4 miles behind the accident site. By 8:45 a.m., traffic was backed up to around Exit 11 in Union Township, and the state Department of Transportation was reporting heavy traffic on southbound Routes 31 and 22 as a result.

Those delays, of up to 90 minutes, have continued past 9 a.m., according to State Police and 511nj.org.

Responding to the accident were New Jersey State Police, Whitehouse, East Whitehouse and Oldwick fire companies, Whitehouse Rescue Squad and Paramedics from Hunterdon Medical Center.

Craig Turpin contributed to this report.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

There are three Somerset County school districts holding referendums on Tuesday, including an $18.5 million spending plan in Montgomery Township.

Three Somerset County school districts have bond referendums coming up for public vote Tuesday, including an $18.5 million spending plan in Montgomery Township, a $2 million referendum in Hillsborough Township and a $941,000 referendum for the Watchung Hills Regional High School district.

The school districts will be eligible for approximately 40-percent in state funding if the referendums are approved. For both Hillsborough and Watchung Hills, there will be no increase in the school property taxes. according to both districts.

For Montgomery Township residents, if the referendum is approved, a taxpayer with a home that has an assessed value of $499,206 will see an average annual property tax increase of $126. For Rocky Hill taxpayers, those with a home assessed value of $439,562 will see an average annual property tax increase of $74, according to the district.

Montgomery High School graduation 2015 (PHOTOS)

Hillsborough's referendum will fund the replacement of the artificial turf field at the high school and pacing, parking lot, drainage and site improvements at the middle school. 

Watchung Hills' referendum is for a new turf field at the high school, as upgrades to the track. Because the district has the funds for the work in its capital reserve fund, even if the referendum is voted down, the work will be completed.

The referendum in Montgomery is for a large number of projects at Orchard Hill and Village elementary schools, the Lower and Upper middle schools and Montgomery High School, including roof, boiler and carpet replacements, renovations and paving projects. The work would begin during the 2016-17 school year and continue into 2019.

Jairon Pena, 36, of Somerville must spend 36 months in the pre-trial intervention program.

Jairon Pena (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office 

SOMERVILLE -- A borough pastor who was arrested after allegedly staging his own assault was accepted into the pre-trial intervention program on Friday.

Jairon Pena, 36, of Somerville, must spend 36 months in the program by order of Somerset County Superior Court Judge Robert B. Reed. If Pena successfully completes the program he can avoid any jail time and have his criminal record expunged.

Pena must also pay restitution to law enforcement for the time officials spent investigating his alleged assault.

Authorities said Pena was found bound and gagged by police on Oct. 30 at 11:20 a.m. at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on East Main Street. His description of the assault was full of inconsistencies and he had no visible injuries, according to police.

N.J. church sues community

Police said Pena lied to officers and fabricated the assault because of undisclosed personal events in his life. He was charged with third-degree false public alarm and fourth-degree false swearing and fictitious report to law enforcement, a disorderly persons offense.

Hillsborough High School's "Into the Woods" was selected as the Somerset County high school musical NJ Advance Media will photograph.

A poll asking you which Somerset County High School musical we should photograph closed this morning and Hillsborough High School's "Into the Woods" received the most number of votes, with 3,943 of the 11,575 cast.

It was close, with Franklin High School's "Mary Poppins" second with 3,790. Look below for complete results of the poll.

We will be at an upcoming performance of "Into the Woods" to take photos, so check back on nj.com for a gallery of photos.

Some of you have commented that this poll was not a competition to select the best musical or pick the best high school, and that is true. We wanted you to help us decide which high school's musical we will photograph. 

We received a number of requests to photograph each of the musicals. While we would love to be at each one, and will try to get to some of the others, if you have photos from the musicals you would like to share with us, please send them to somerset@njnpublishing.com.

Include the school name, musical and date of the performance. We will post a gallery of the photos as we get them in.

Here is a list of the upcoming musicals in Somerset County:

Bernards High School - "Guys and Dolls," 7 p.m. Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13

Bound Brook High School - "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24.

Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School - "Pippin," 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, Friday, May 13, and Saturday, May 14

Franklin Township High School - "Mary Poppins," 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8,  Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 10. 

Hillsborough High School - "Into the Woods," 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, Saturday, March 5, and Saturday, March 12; 1 p.m. Sunday, March 6, and Sunday, March 13.

Manville High School - "The Wedding Singer," 7 p.m. Thursday, April 7, Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9.

North Plainfield High School - "A Chorus Line," 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19

Somerville High School - "Mary Poppins," 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5; 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5.

Watchung Hills Regional High School - "She Loves Me," 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19.

Freddie Wright, 24, of Newark, had pleaded guilty to eluding and related offenses in connection with the Aug. 11, 2014 incident Watch video

NEWARK -- With speeds exceeding 100 mph, Freddie Wright led police on a chase in a stolen Jeep between Essex and Somerset counties, crashed into three vehicles and caused Route 287 to be shut down during rush hour. One of his passengers was eight months pregnant at the time.

Before Wright was sentenced on Friday to 11 years in state prison for the Aug. 11, 2014 incident, Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Giordano said it was a miracle that no one died as a result of Wright's actions.

Giordano said "the conduct here is especially depraved in the extent of the car chase."

Wright, 24, of Newark, received the sentence after having pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to eluding and related charges. Wright must serve more than nine years before becoming eligible for parole and he will receive credit for nearly a year and a half of time served.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors recommended a 12-year prison sentence for Wright, but Superior Court Judge Martin Cronin imposed the 11-year term, in part because of the rehabilitation efforts made by Wright while in custody.

During Friday's hearing, Wright apologized and said he was "manning up to what I did."

"I'd just like to say I apologize to everybody," Wright said.

Wright's attorney, Olubukola Adetula, acknowledged the serious nature of the offenses, but also asked Cronin to consider Wright's upbringing and the problems he faced at school and at home.

Those circumstances "contributed towards him going in the wrong direction, Adetula said.

Wright's mother, Bernadette Wright, apologized on her son's actions and also asked the judge for leniency, saying her son was a "totally changed person."

"He's remorseful," she said. "He regrets what he did. I regret what he did."

But Cronin noted how Wright was previously given opportunities to address his issues when he was placed on probation for prior offenses. "I have to look out for everyone else also," the judge told Wright's mother.

Authorities said the incident began in the afternoon of Aug. 11, 2014 on 17th Avenue and South 19th Street in Newark, where a state trooper attempted to stop the Jeep after running the license plates and learning that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

But Wright rammed the Jeep into the State Police vehicle and sped off, authorities said. The trooper broke his hand in the crash, authorities said.

Wright then led police on a chase along Route 78 West, Route 24 West and 287 South, authorities said. During the pursuit, the Jeep reached more than 100 mph, authorities said.

The high-speed chase ended on Route 287 South in Bernards Township after Wright had struck a minivan and a township police car, authorities said. The minivan driver was knocked unconscious and a police officer suffered broken bones, according to Giordano.

Following the crash, the highway was shut down in both directions for several hours.

In addition to eluding, Wright pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while eluding for hitting a civilian victim; aggravated assault while eluding for hitting the Bernards Police Officer; and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries for striking the State Police vehicle and breaking the trooper's hand.

Following Wright's sentencing, charges were dismissed on Friday against his co-defendants - Jakill Young, 24, and Ericka Whitlock, 22, both of Newark - who were allegedly passengers in the Jeep driven by Wright.

Young was charged with riding in a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest charges, and Whitlock was charged with riding in a stolen vehicle, court records show. Whitlock, who was eight months pregnant at the time, gave birth on the day after the incident, authorities said.

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A total of 41 bridges on Interstate 78 in Warren, Hunterdon and Somerset counties will be worked on this year. Watch video

Work on 41 bridges along stretches of Interstate 78 in Warren, Hunterdon and Somerset counties will begin Monday, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced Friday.

The nearly $2.2 million federally-funded preventative bridge maintenance project will continue through the end of the year. Work includes deck patching, curb repair, expansion joint reconstruction, header reconstruction, sidewalk repair, deck crack repairs, cleaning of drainage systems, power washing and the application of a corrosion inhibitor, according to a news release.

Power Concrete Co., Inc. is scheduled to begin bridge work Monday on Tunnel Road under Interstate 78 in Bethlehem Township in Hunterdon County.

Route 206 closed for repairs to oldest bridge

Work taking place Monday through Friday will be restricted to off-peak hours, mid-morning to mid-afternoon, or overnight hours, and there will be no lane closures. In addition, work will not take place on more than two bridges at the same time.

Temporary lane closures may require flag men and alternating traffic on local roads that provide only one travel lane in each direction. 

Work to all 41 bridges will initially begin below each structure, including repairs to abutment walls and piers, epoxy waterproofing and lubrication of bearings. In the spring, work will switch onto the other areas of the bridges, as weather permits.  

N.J. may be losing the battle against bridges

Bridge work will move eastward along Interstate 78 through Union, Clinton, Readington and Tewksbury townships in Hunterdon County and end in Bedminster in Somerset County.

Additional work will also take place on the bridges located westward from Bethlehem along Interstate 78 in Bloomsbury in Hunterdon County, as well as in Franklin and Greenwich townships in Warren County.

Some of the bridges carry the expressway over local roads, while others carry local roads over the expressway.

Recent projects along Interstate 78 in Central Jersey include a 2012 repaving project along the stretch of the expressway in Warren County owned by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, bridge painting projects in Hunterdon and Somerset counties in 2013 and, in 2008, a $16.6 million, 8-mile paving project in Hunterdon County.

The cause of Friday's accident on Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County is still under investigation.

TEWKSBURY -- A driver from Illinois is in critical condition following a tractor-trailer accident on the eastbound side of Interstate 78 Friday morning that caused major delays.

Frederick DeFilippi, 60, from Bradford, Ill., was driving a 2014 Freightliner tractor and towing a bulldozer on a flatbed trailer when the accident occurred, said New Jersey State Police Sgt. Gregory Williams.

"The accident is still under investigation and a cause has not been determined," Williams said, noting that it was snowing and the roadway was wet when the accident happened at 6:04 a.m.

Major delays follow truck crash

DeFilippi lost control of the tractor-trailer around mile marker 24.5, and it went off the left side of the road and hit a guardrail, Williams said. The bulldozer came off the trailer and ended up blocking the center lane of the highway. The tractor ended up on the left shoulder and left lane of the highway.

DeFilippi was taken to Morristown Medical Center, where he was still in critical condition early Friday afternoon, Williams said. No information was available from the hospital late Friday afternoon on his condition.

Williams said the accident caused a diesel fuel and oil spill that was cleaned up by a hazmat team.

By 6:30 a.m., eastbound traffic stretched back about 4 miles behind the accident site. By 8:45 a.m., traffic was backed up to around Exit 11 in Union Township, and the state Department of Transportation was reporting heavy traffic on southbound Routes 31 and 22 as a result. Some motorists reported delays of more than two hours. By the evening commute, traffic was back to normal.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.

Somerset County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Ciccione said the Hillsborough Township Historical Preservation Commission "followed statutory guidelines" in approving the demolition permit.

HILLSBOROUGH -- Somerset County Superior Court Judge Yolanda Ciccione ruled in favor of the Duke Farms Foundation on Friday afternoon, clearing the way for the demolition of the iconic Doris Duke mansion.

A representative of a citizens group opposing the demolition said Friday they plan to appeal the ruling. The group had filed papers seeking an injunction against the issuance of a demolition permit to the foundation.

On Feb. 26, the judge heard oral arguments from both sides of the demolition debate.

The township's Historical Preservation Commission voted 6-1 to approve the application for a demolition permit in October. But the group, called DORIS (Demolition of Residence is Senseless) sought to reverse the approval of the application.

"We're gratified by Judge Ciccone's decision to dismiss the objector's challenged to the demolition permit approved by Hillsborough," said Michael Catania, executive director of the Duke Farms Foundation said.

"We will now move forward with this project in accordance with this approval and with our mission in order to make Duke Farms an even better asset to the community by providing new public access to a portion of the property."

Catania said the foundation will proceed with the demolition of the structure "as quickly as we can." The foundation has already began pre-demolition work on the structure, which was built in 1893. The removal of the mansion will open up 50 acres to the public, foundation officials have said.

Tempers flare as demolition approved

David Brook, the attorney representing DORIS, said he was "incredibly disappointed in the decision. It must be nice to work in a situation like the historic commission because you can do whatever you want and not be held accountable."

Brook said he will pursue getting a stay of the demolition to seek a hearing in the Appellate Division.

The judge ruled that the plaintiff "failed to meet their burden" and that the township Historical Preservation Commission listened to all of the relevant testimony from both sides and "had adequate basis in fact and opinion to approve the demolition."

The judge wrote that the commission "followed statutory guidelines and properly exercised its discretion" and "acted in conformity" to the law.

Furthermore, the judge stated that it would be "inappropriate for the court to substitute its own judgement of the evidence for the judgement of local citizens with an intimate knowledge of the community's interest in preserving historic sites."

Brook and his group contended the township violated the Open Public Meetings Act and Municipal Land Use Law by allowing the commission to approve the demolition and by the Board of Adjustment's refusal to hear an appeal.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.