NJ wrong-way drunk driver convicted after killing beloved PA medical provider on Route 80
⚠️ A Morris County jury convicted a Parsippany man in a fatal wrong-way crash on Route 80.
➡️ Prosecutors said the driver was drunk when his SUV struck another vehicle head-on.
🔴 The victim was a 31-year-old physician assistant remembered by patients and coworkers.
A Morris County man is convicted of a drunken wrong-way crash on Route 80 that killed a medical professional last year.
After a five-day jury trial, 46-year-old Victor Peters, of Parsippany-Troy Hills, was found guilty of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and second-degree vehicular homicide in the death of Destinn McKnight, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
The 31-year-old victim was a physician’s assistant and primary care provider, according to dozens of comments from heart-broken patients and coworkers on Facebook posts following the crash.
“Destinn was a Physician Assistant at Lehigh Valley Health Network/Pocono in East Stroudsburg! Horrific loss," one of the comments said on a Facebook post after the crash.
Read More: Ex-NJ woman arrested in deadly wrong-way PA Turnpike DUI crash
Wrong-way crash on Route 80 killed Pennsylvania health care worker
In February 2025, State Police responded to the crash on Route 80 in Rockaway Township near mile post 36.2 around 2:30 a.m.
A 2016 Mercedes Benz GLE had been driving against westbound traffic for some time before it crashed into a 2024 Ford Maverick, investigators said.
Troopers said once freed from his Mercedes Benz, Peters appeared to be drunk — with alcohol on his breath and a red solo cup, also reeking of alcohol, laying outside the SUV, according to an affidavit filed in the case.
The Ford driver, McKnight was pronounced dead at the scene, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said.
Sentencing scheduled for September
Peters will remain in custody until his sentencing on Sept. 11 before Morris County Superior Court Judge Ralph E. Amirata.
So far, prosecutors have not recommended a sentence.
Whatever term he faces, Peters must serve at least 85% of it before being eligible for parole.
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