Skip navigation.
Home » Chief Edward Donohue

Pa. Man Had Seven DWI Arrests Prior to Fatal MVA

Police Blotters | Wed, 09/16/2009 - 5:32 pm | Read 2933 | Commented 10 | Emailed 6
Tags: Chief Edward Donohue, Lower Township, lower township police department, LTPD

By Herald Staff

Enlarge

LOWER TOWNSHIP — Lower Township Police Department issued a press release Sept. 16 which states that John J. Lawless, 37, of Caster Avenue, Philadelphia, who was charged with Death by Auto as a result of a head on motor vehicle accident that took the life of local resident Frederick Shelton, 50, had seven prior DWI arrests.

Police Chief Edward Donohue said Lawless was arrested for DWI in Pennsylvania on the following dates, which are public record and obtained from a First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Court Summary, which is available online:

• Oct. 3, 1996: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrest.

• March 16, 1998: DWI arrest with minimum two months/maximum three months prison term, plead guilty.

• Sept. 7, 1998: DWI arrest with minimum two months/maximum three months prison term, plead guilty.

• April 29, 1999: DWI arrest. Plead guilty to recklessly endangering another person. Placed on one-year probation. Plead guilty to DWI, minimum two months/maximum three months prison term.

Lawless’ Pennsylvania driver’s license was suspended indefinitely on or about 2001.

• July 62, 2004: DWI arrest. Dismissed under speedy trial regulations.

• June 11, 2005: DWI arrest with minimum one year/maximum two-year prison term. Plead guilty.

• Dec. 24, 2008: Involved in a motor vehicle accident in Philadelphia, arrested for DWI and Criminal Mischief.

Case is due to be heard in Philadelphia Court in October 2009.

The release also states that Sheri Shelton, 44, and her 13-year-old daughter, Brittany, were also in the vehicle at the time her husband was killed. Sheri Shelton is listed in critical condition at the Harrah’s Regional Trauma Center at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, while her daughter is in stable condition at Cooper Hospital in Camden.

In addition to a Death by Auto charge, John J. Lawless faces two counts of Assault with a Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Driving with a Suspended License, Reckless Driving and Failure to Maintain a Single Lane.

“The bottom line here is that this man should not have been operating a motor vehicle on any highway, in any state, based on his suspended driving privileges and his record of previous DWI arrests,” Donohue said at the time of the accident.

On Sept. 16, Donohue said that the Lower Township Police Department will monitor this case closely with the assistance of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, as the charges filed against Lawless make there way through the New Jersey Criminal Justice System.

Lawless is still currently under guard by Lower Township Police Officers at the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

Lawless will be arraigned on the criminal charges pending his release from the hospital. His bail has been set at $100,000.

Print | Email Updated 26 weeks 1 day ago

Login or register to post comments

Comments (10)

We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.

»

Wed, 09/30/2009 - 2:46pm - Posted by: lynn123

What a sad situation!! My thoughts and prayers go out to the Shelton family. Being a friend of Mr. Lawless, who is indeed a very nice, kind individual ,had an unfortunate accident. Unfortunately, all the negativity I am reading about offing himself and he is a murderer is not gonna help the situation any. Do you know how many people I know who have gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle thinking they were ok to drive? Alcoholism is a disease. Instead of people talking about all this negative stuff, why don't people try to find ways to stop and help this disease. I know the people who know the Sheltons are very angry and nothing said will ever help their feelings, that is very understandable, but I will tell you this, knowing John personally, he is a great husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and terrific friend. He is so sickly hurt and sad over this. He is not a murderer, a murderer has it in their blood to intentionally hurt people. He is not that person. He would never intentionally hurt anyone. He was always out to help people, not hurt them. Also, for the people saying about PA drivers and out of state drivers, Do you know of how many people from New Jersey come over to PA and cause accidents? Do you know how many people that are from New Jersey driving over to PA to cop narcotics? Take a look at them statistics. Thats all over, so that issue is just a little strange to hear in this situation. That happens everywhere. I don't think the location of where John lives is the issue here. That sounds more like personal grudges that people are trying to throw up. I personally feel sorry for all the victims in this situation, no matter where they are from. Everyone involved in this, I would like to say again, I am so sorry for your losses, this was very sad and tragic for everyone!!!

»

Mon, 10/12/2009 - 12:25pm - Posted by: a friend

my prayers go out to everyne

»

Mon, 10/05/2009 - 9:37pm - Posted by: Therefor Jonh

Prayers go out to all involved

»

Mon, 09/21/2009 - 9:08am - Posted by: pumkinbut

hey decker! I don't even drink that poison & would never get into a car to drive if i ever did. If this was his first dwi I would have a tiny bit of empathy but this was his 8th. He killed a man! KILLED! Those children have lost their father because of this guys CONTINUED reckless behavior. Those kids don't even have their mother to help them through this because she is still critical. So you ask if anyone really cares about this drunks feelings???? He didn't even have a DL! Why did he have a car?

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:27pm - Posted by: BIGJOHNSON

It's ashame this guy didn't hit a tree or drive off the bridge and off himself.

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 3:41pm - Posted by: decker

comments about the man's name "Lawless" yeah who hasn't heard that one before, time to pay the piper...really??? How original you ignorant hick!! Scumbag, do you even know this person or where he comes from or what kind of family he has...No. Terrible tradegy for all concerned. Just remember the next time any of you poor excuses of human beings have a drink and get behind the wheel...you to are dwi/dui. So shall we call you low life "lawless" scumbags???

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 1:45pm - Posted by: joes55well

Check out this guys last name..."Lawless". He is lawless, and thoughtless.

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 9:37am - Posted by: Strommy

Hopefully this scumbag NEVER sets foot outside of prison for the rest of his pathetic, garbage life. That poor family, I feel so bad for them.

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 8:46am - Posted by: rylinhunter

The Sophmore class at LCMR are trying to put together some fundraising events for this family in the next few weeks... they are a great groups of kids that want to help out one of their classmates, so please help them help this family. This is such a senseless tragedy.

»

Thu, 09/17/2009 - 7:03am - Posted by: Twisted Oz

There comes a point in time when you run out of excuses. There should be no reason now to prosecute this guy to the fullest extent of the law. What a tragedy, all at the hands of a person who could care less about consequences caused by his irresponsibility. Now it's time to pay the piper.



more homes TOP HOMES


more classifieds TOP CLASSIFIEDS

more topicsMOST RECENT FORUM TOPICS

Property Transfer Chart