'Erin Moore was a force': Sparta man gets 8 years in drunken crash that killed local mom

The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg earned her indomitable "notorious" nickname as a pioneer for gender equality and women's rights. A force on and off the bench, her legacy is now a call to action for future generations to follow her lead and, as she once said, "fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

Ginsburg's greatest gift was her ability to act as a voice for women, and men, in countless ways and was a role model to many including Sparta resident Erin Moore, whose life, albeit short, was dedicated to not only fighting for women's health rights, but making a vow to leave this world a better place than she found it, her mother, Kathy Jones, tearfully said on Friday.

"She was a bright light in this world, she lived big and loud, she stood up for what she believed in and she decided what she wanted and pursued it," said Jones, whose short blonde hair was dipped in pink hair dye, a style her daughter often sported. "She made her day on this Earth count."

Moore, 41, was killed on Jan. 30, 2022 after her SUV was struck head-on on Route 181 in Sparta by an out-of-control sedan driven by township resident Attila Princz, 42. Princz, during a plea hearing in January, admitted his blood alcohol concentration was .163%, over double the 0.08% legal limit to drive, when his BMW crossed over the double-yellow lines and struck Moore's Hyundai Tucson. Princz was traveling 64 mph at the time of impact — nearly 30 mph over the speed limit — thrusting Moore's SUV back 40 or more feet, according to data taken from experts at the scene, prosecutors said.

Princz, who pleaded guilty to a second-degree crime for vehicular homicide, was sentenced to eight years in prison by state Superior Court Judge Michael Gaus, who followed the recommendations made by Brent Rafuse, an assistant prosecutor in Sussex County. Princz will be required to serve about six years and eight months, or 85%, of his sentence before being eligible for parole and will be on parole supervision for three years upon his release.

Princz's attorney Charles Clark sought a five-year sentence, stressing that his client lacked a criminal or motor vehicle violation history and has accepted responsibility for his actions.

Upon release from prison, Princz told the court he has "sincere intentions" to share his experience with organizations to caution others on the perils of drinking and driving.

"I strive to prevent this from happening to other families," Princz said.

He briefly turned to look at Eddie Moore and his family, who was supported by over 20 friends and community members, and told him he thought about him, his wife and children "every single day."

"Remorse, regret, sorrow, guilt, they're not strong enough to capture my feelings," Princz said.

But the judge found Princz's sentiments, combined with statements the one-time claims manager at BMW of North Jersey in Bergen County made in pre-sentencing comments, to lack any remorse, instead calling them "attempts."