Wargo was a Phillipsburg native who lived in Lopatcong Township with his wife.
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Mount Arlington Police Officer Joseph Wargo, left, was killed when Michael Cassella, right, slammed his car into Wargo's marked police vehicle on I-80 East near Roxbury, N.J.
A driver who was under the influence of drugs when he caused a crash that killed a northern New Jersey police officer has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter.
Morris County prosecutors say 30-year-old Michael Cassella of Howell faces a 20-year prison term when he's sentenced March 1. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped a vehicular homicide charge.
Cassella's $500,000 bail was revoked after he entered his plea Friday, and he was taken into custody.
The charges against Cassella stem from an October 2011 crash on Route 80 in Roxbury that killed Mount Arlington officer Joseph Wargo.
Cassella was under the influence of heroin and other drugs when he lost control of his vehicle. He then crossed the median and crashed into Wargo's marked police cruiser.
The 38-year-old married officer was on routine patrol at the time. The Phillipsburg native had served in law enforcement for 18 years and was a member of the Mount Arlington force for more than 10 years. He lived in Lopatcong Township with his wife, Amy.