

NEWARK -- The teen driver charged with fatally running down a 25-year-old flight attendant last week was not a licensed driver, prosecutors said Monday.



The 17-year-old is charged with vehicular homicide in the death of Camille Barletta, a 25-year-old United Airlines flight attendant, who was struck as she strolled on a Newark sidewalk on Tuesday around 7:20 p.m., then died the next day at University Hospital in Newark.



Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly said on Monday that the teen was also charged with being an unlicensed driver. In addition, Fennelly also said Monday that the basis for the homicide charge was that the teen had been driving "recklessly," although he has not been charged with reckless driving at this point.

Fennelly noted that the investigation is continuing and he did not rule out additional charges against the teen, who has not been identified because he is a juvenile.



"The juvenile has been charge with vehicular homicide, also known as death by auto, a second degree crime," Fennelly told NJ Advance Media. "He's also charged with a third degree offense of causing a death while not being issued a driver's license, basically being an unlicensed driver."



Barletta, who is originally from Southern California, lived in Chicago but spent time in Newark for her job with United, whose northeastern hub is at Newark Liberty International Airport. After studying English and photography in college, she began working at United in September, and also blogged about fashion and travel.



The airline issued a statement expressing its condolences in the wake of her death, but declined to discuss what route Barletta flew or anything else about her work.



Her death prompted an outpouring of grief, memories and condolences from family members, colleagues in the far-flung community of flight attendants, and Newark residents who didn't know her but were touched by the sudden loss of a vivacious young woman on a sidewalk of their city.

"I didn't know her and began reading her blog," wrote Pamela Brown, a Newark resident, on the tribute.com obituary and memorial site. "Wow, what a beautiful, caring, lovely, inspiring soul was she. My heart goes out to her family, friends, & her love, Pete...I, too, have freckles....Thank you for sharing your travels...God Bless You And I Will Keep You In My Prayers!"



Her grandparents in La Mesa, CA, Michael & Dagmar Barletta, wrote of a "very happy person, always with a smile," especially with her fiance, Peter.

"She couldn't wait to tell everyone of their engagement but had to wait till she came home to California for a short visit before heading back to Chicago," the Barletta's wrote. "There is now an emptiness that will always remain for us."

And Donna Eckhardt, a flight attendant from Montgomery, TX, wrote: "Although I did not know Camille I am her skysister! My love and prayers to her family!!! She flies with the angels!"

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.