Vigil Held For Cousins As Charges Upgraded Against Driver

Prosecutors have upgraded charges to aggravated manslaughter against a Lower Township man accused of hitting and killing two teenage cousins as friends and family held a vigil for the girls on the girls' favorite beach.

200 people gathered on a beach in Wildwood to remember 15-year-old Nioami Lazicki and 13-year-old Ashley Dauber of Philadelphia, standing silently in a circle for nearly 45 minutes before releasing purple balloons into the sky and singing reports the Press of Atlantic City.

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Lazicki's  funeral was held on Saturday in Middle Township, while Dauber’s funeral is scheduled on Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia.

Earlier on Monday, a  judge increased bail for Joshua Malmgren to $350,000.

The 30-year-old previously pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges. Malmgren also is charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane of travel.

Authorities say Malmgren hit 15-year-old Nioami Lazicki and 13-year-old Ashley Dauber of Philadelphia on a Middle Township road as the girls walked home on July 31.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.