A North Arlington man who allegedly operated a toploader at an Elizabeth marine terminal while he was drunk and struck and killed a woman now has been indicted for vehicular homicide.
ELIZABETH -- Longshoreman Victor Belo was driving a toploader, the kind of heavy equipment commonly used to move shipping containers on the Elizabeth marine terminal where he worked, only on this day Belo was driving drunk, authorities say.
On Aug. 7, authorities allege, Belo was driving the machine when he struck another worker, Judy Jones, 49, killing her.
Earlier this month a Union County grand jury indicted Belo, 48, of North Arlington, on a charge of vehicular homicide in the death of the Newark woman.
Belo, who is free on $75,000 bail, has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the fatal incident.
His lawyer, Anthony Iacullo, said he expects Belo to be exonerated.
Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said Belo had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 when the incident occurred at about 1 p.m. at the APM terminal in Elizabeth.
Jones, a dockworker, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Jones and Belo were members of the International Longshoremen's Association union, though from separate locals. In September, the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor suspended Belo's work permit.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident to determine whether safety requirements for the terminal were being met.
The homicide charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison upon conviction.
Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.