Fatal Crash Follows High-Speed Chase on I-80 in Warren County

WARREN COUNTY, NJ - A high-speed chase on the morning of August 13, 2024, led to a fatal motorcycle crash when a New Jersey State Trooper attempted to pull over an SUV on I-80 in Warren County.

Around 10:19 a.m., the trooper initiated a stop on an SUV traveling eastbound near milepost 11. The driver of the SUV, now identified as 32-year-old Sean Mamakas of Kempton, Pennsylvania, did not comply with activated emergency lights and sirens and instead headed toward Exit 12 and continued southbound on County Road 521 in Hope Township, Warren County.

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Moments later, Mamakas lost control of the SUV and veered off the road, colliding with a motorcycle traveling in the same direction near Dogwood Road, around 10:20 a.m. The force of the impact ejected the motorcyclist, identified as Michael Ceddia, of Hackettstown, NJ. Authorities say medical aid was administered to Ceddia, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to his obituary , Ceddia was in the U.S. Navy and served as a BM3 during the Vietnam War from 1969-1972.

Mamakas is now charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree alluding while operating a motor vehicle on the roadways, second-degree aggravated assault, and second-degree vehicular homicide.

Prior to his arrest, Mamakas was treated for minor injuries at Hackettstown Medical Center. He is currently lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center pending his first court appearance.

First-degree charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, while second-degree charges can result in up to 10 years.

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The case is currently under investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey State Police.

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