Vigil in Manchester Township remembers 23-year-old killed in hit-and-run crash

Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, was riding his motorcycle eastbound when police say he was fatally struck by Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno, 22, who was also driving eastbound in a Nissan Murano.

Amanda Lee and Bob Doda

Aug 6, 2023, 9:22 PM

Updated 287 days ago

Share:

Family and friends of a 23-year-old killed by an alleged drunk driver in a hit-and-run remembered him during a vigil in Manchester Township on Sunday night.
They gathered for the vigil off Route 37, where police say the crash occurred on Thursday night.
Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, was riding his motorcycle eastbound when police say he was fatally struck by Yesmin Sanchez-Centeno, 22, who was also driving eastbound in a Nissan Murano.
Schlinger was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was pronounced dead.
Police say Centeno continued to drive away from the scene until his car gave out. He then tried to run away before officers took him into custody, according to authorities.
Police say he was under the influence at the time and did not even have a driver’s license. Centeno was charged with vehicular homicide, amongst other charges.
"Just don't drink and drive. It's not worth it. By taking one life, you hurt a lot of people. It's not just one person that suffers. This whole community of people that are out here today are suffering," said Erika Schlinger, sister of the victim.
Jeffrey Schlinger's friend, Kyle Morris, said he was with him on the night of the incident.
"I was right behind him when the car flew out in front of us," Morris recalled. He said he was riding behind Schlinger in the right lane when he witnessed a car fly past him and strike his friend.
"I was in the right lane when the guy came out and, for some reason, he missed me and ended up hitting Jeff instead in the left lane," Morris said.
Schlinger's sister urged motorists to think twice before getting on the road after drinking alcohol.
"Call a friend, call an Uber, walk. There's just no reason to ever get behind the wheel," she said.
A GoFundMe is raising funds for Schlinger’s funeral costs.


More from News 12
1:52
Prosecution gears up for week 2 of Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial

Prosecution gears up for week 2 of Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial

1:31
Pleasant Monday kicks off workweek warm up in New Jersey

Pleasant Monday kicks off workweek warm up in New Jersey

2:41
Lantern ceremony in Montclair honors Asian community who faced violence and injustice

Lantern ceremony in Montclair honors Asian community who faced violence and injustice

1:53
Tour de Elizabeth takes cyclists through New Jersey's fourth-largest city

Tour de Elizabeth takes cyclists through New Jersey's fourth-largest city

0:30
Coast Guard boards anchored shipping vessel in Manasquan; no violations

Coast Guard boards anchored shipping vessel in Manasquan; no violations

0:23
Police: Haddonfield man faces charges for arson, stalking and vandalism

Police: Haddonfield man faces charges for arson, stalking and vandalism

0:17
Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

1:42
Jersey Creators Market event in Jersey City brings street designers from all over Garden State

Jersey Creators Market event in Jersey City brings street designers from all over Garden State

1:45
 Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

Missed swim lessons due to COVID-19 may be contributing to rise in child drownings

1:40
Red Bank's Broad Walk summer festival returns to downtown

Red Bank's Broad Walk summer festival returns to downtown

2:08
Residents get rid of junk during citywide ‘Love Newark, Keep It Clean’ campaign

Residents get rid of junk during citywide ‘Love Newark, Keep It Clean’ campaign

1:19
Bus catches fire on Garden State Parkway near Wall Township

Bus catches fire on Garden State Parkway near Wall Township

0:23
Prosecutor: Plainfield man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Bridgewater car crash

Prosecutor: Plainfield man sentenced to 5 years in prison for Bridgewater car crash

1:43
CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

0:31
Police: Jersey City man arrested following pursuit spanning 2 counties

Police: Jersey City man arrested following pursuit spanning 2 counties

2:37
‘We’re asking to fight.’ Parents, students call on officials to save Wayne Catholic school from closing

‘We’re asking to fight.’ Parents, students call on officials to save Wayne Catholic school from closing

2:05
36th Annual Belmar Seafood Festival to take place this weekend at Silver Lake Park

36th Annual Belmar Seafood Festival to take place this weekend at Silver Lake Park

0:25
Prosecutor: Human remains found in 1 of 3 cars submerged in Cooper River in Pennsauken

Prosecutor: Human remains found in 1 of 3 cars submerged in Cooper River in Pennsauken

0:18
Newark police seek public’s help identifying package thief

Newark police seek public’s help identifying package thief

2:26
First full week of Sen. Menendez’s federal corruption trial comes to a close

First full week of Sen. Menendez’s federal corruption trial comes to a close