OCEAN COUNTY — An Ocean Gate man was charged with multiple offenses following a two-vehicle crash in Lacey Township that left another driver injured, authorities said.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Michael O’Hare Jr., 38, was charged Jan. 22 with assault by auto, possession of gabapentin without a valid prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with driving under the influence.
Police responded about 7:50 a.m. to the intersection of South Street and Warren Avenue for a reported crash. Investigators said an Acura TL traveling eastbound on South Street crossed the double yellow line and collided with a westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The driver of the Jeep was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River and treated for minor injuries, authorities said.
Officers at the scene reported that O’Hare appeared intoxicated and was unable to successfully complete standardized field sobriety tests, leading to his arrest on suspicion of DUI. A search following the arrest allegedly uncovered methadone, gabapentin pills without a valid prescription and drug paraphernalia.
O’Hare was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for evaluation. Investigators later obtained a court-authorized blood draw; test results are pending. He was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains held pending a detention hearing.
The investigation involved the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lacey Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
Charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
