Man could face 18 years for death of O.B. woman BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer OLD BRIDGE - A Cliffwood Beach man could face a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault and driving while intoxicated in the death of 21-year-old Samar Seliem. "I'm certainly hopeful that the judge will impose a lesser sentence," said Corey Bieniek's attorney, Joseph Benedict, of New Brunswick. "He's a very nice, respectful and remorseful young man." Bieniek, 19, told Judge James Mulvihill in state Superior Court Monday that he drank about nine beers and a shot of vodka before driving that night, and had smoked marijuana earlier in the day, Benedict said. Bieniek also admitted he was driving at an excessive speed of over 100 mph, according to Benedict. Seliem, a senior at Kean University in Union, was backing out of the driveway of her family's Marlboro Road home around 10:23 p.m. Dec. 29 when Bieniek struck her car with his Jeep Cherokee, pushing the vehicle 240 feet before they came to a stop. Seliem was pronounced dead at the scene. Bieniek and his attorney struck a plea deal with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office that could result in the full sentence of 18 years, requiring 15 years in prison before parole would be possible. As part of the deal, Bieniek had to surrender his driver's license. "We're hoping to convince the judge that a sentence of 18 years is much more than is necessary for justice to be served here," Benedict said. "He's 19 years old, with no significant prior record." Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Nicholas Sewitch cited Bieniek's prior record in court, said Benedict, who said his client's record consists of a few municipal ordinance violations. "[Bieniek] is in an intensive outpatient rehabilitation program," Benedict said. "Alcoholism, unfortunately, is a disease that is not adequately recognized and treated in our society." Bieniek was freed on $350,000 bail. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 12.