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Dumont Driver Convicted In MetLife Death Of Cliffside Park Record King

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Jurors in Hackensack convicted a former employee of an Englewood luxury sports car company of vehicular homicide for striking and killing popular Cliffside Park record store owner Steve Lenge (photo above) as he rode his motorcycle outside MetLife Stadium on Mother’s Day 2012.

Steve Lenge

Steve Lenge

Photo Credit: COURTESY: Lenge Family
Lenge photo: Courtesy of family / MUGHOTS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Lenge photo: Courtesy of family / MUGHOTS: Courtesy BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Photo Credit: CLIFFVIEW PILOT

Joseph A. Ferretti (left in mugshots above), of Dumont, and Joseph Meyer (right), of Oviedo, Fla., were originally charged with death by auto, a second-degree crime that has sent those convicted in New Jersey to prison for terms of five to 10 years, depending on various factors.

A grand jury later upgraded the charges to aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide. 

Convictions can carry prison terms of five to years — 85% of which must be served before a convict is eligible for parole.

Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti scheduled an April sentencing and ordered Ferretti, 34, to surrender his passport and not leave the state before then.

Meyer negotiated a deal with prosecutors, pleading guilty last year to death by auto and agreeing to testify Ferretti in exchange for 364 days in the Bergen County Jail and five years probation. 

Both worked for Gotham Dream Cars and had just fueled their 2006 Ferreris -- worth nearly $150,000 each -- for a "Dream Car Sprint" around the stadium the morning of May 13, 2012.

Lenge, a 56-year-old father of two and North Bergen native who made Things From England one of the world’s most popular independent record stores, was wearing a helmet as he rode his 2011 Triumph to a second job at the sports complex, where he helped build the set for the Electric Daisy Festival.

Meyer, who authorities said at one point his 100 miles an hour, lost control coming around a turn and bounced off two curbs.

Ferretti, who broke 90 mph, swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid Meyer and smashed Lenge’s bike, sending it nearly 100 yards, they said.

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday before delivering their verdict Thursday following a three-week trial.

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