Authorities have charged a Linden man with death by auto in connection with an alcohol-related crash killed a 51-year-old Elizabeth man late last year.

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According to acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park, Antonio Rodriguez, 46, is charged with one count of death by auto for allegedly causing the accident which killed Carlos Arce.

In a statement Wednesday, the Prosecutor's Office said said the crash occurred on Dec. 13, 2015. At approximately 4:15 p.m., Rodriguez was traveling east on East Elizabeth Avenue in Linden. He then made a left-hand turn onto McKinley Avenue, cutting off Arce, who was riding a motorcycle, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Scott Peterson, who is prosecuting the case.

"Arce attempted to avoid a collision, but became separated from his vehicle and slid into the rear of Rodriguez’s vehicle. He was subsequently pronounced dead," authorities said in a statement.

The Union County Homicide Task Force and the Linden Police Department conducted an investigation and found that Rodriguez "had a blood-alcohol level of slightly more than twice the legal limit at the time of the accident."

Bail for Rodriguez - who was also ordered to surrender his passport - was set at $75,000. If convicted of the second degree crime, he could face 5 to 10 years in state prison.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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