LAKEWOOD — A Toms River man has been charged in connection with a violent single-car crash on New Hampshire Avenue that left both occupants seriously injured, police said.
The Lakewood Scoop was the first to report the accident.
Officers responded to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Woodlake Manor Drive around 11 p.m. on December 2 after receiving reports of a vehicle that had struck a tree. When they arrived, they found the driver and passenger trapped inside the heavily damaged car.
Police said both occupants were conscious but unable to free themselves due to the extent of the wreckage. Emergency crews extricated the two and they were taken by Lakewood EMS to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment. The driver was identified as 19-year-old Kenneth Lopez-Rivera of Toms River.
Following an investigation, Lopez-Rivera was arrested and charged with assault by auto resulting in serious bodily injury to his passenger.
Authorities emphasized that the charge is an accusation and Lopez-Rivera is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
