2005 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

August 9, 2005

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Vincent J. Borrelli, Chief of Public Safety for the Delaware River Port Authority, reported that a Collingswood man is being held at the Camden County Correction Facility, charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in a July 31, 2005, collision on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge that killed a Pennsylvania motorcyclist.

Robert T. Arcari, 53, of South Park Drive, was arrested this afternoon at an office in Collingswood where he works as an accountant. Superior Court Judge Linda G. Baxter, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division in Camden, set bail at $100,000, cash or bond, late this afternoon.

The criminal complaint alleges that Arcari recklessly caused the death of John Burkell, 30, of Collegeville, Pa., under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life. A Statement of Probable Cause in support of the complaint states the following:

Arcari drove his 2000 Acura RSX onto the approach of the bridge in Philadelphia heading eastbound, but entered the westbound lane closest to the divider barrier and proceeded against the flow of traffic. Video surveillance shows the vehicle traveling at the same approximate speed as the eastbound traffic in the proper lanes. The posted speed limit is 45 mph.

The defendant continued driving against traffic over the crest of the bridge onto the descent toward Camden, as several cars swerved out of the lane to avoid a head-on collision. At approximately 12:11 a.m., Burkell was driving a 2003 Honda motorcycle in the far left westbound lane when Arcari's vehicle struck him head-on, causing the victim to fly off the motorcycle and onto the roadway. Burkell died of multiple injuries.

A DRPA Police officer at the scene detected the odor of alcoholic beverages on the defendant's breath. The defendant admitted he had been drinking. Officers administered an Alco Test, which registered a 0.18% blood alcohol content, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08%.

Aggravated Manslaughter is a first-degree offense carrying a maximum 30 years upon conviction.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.