LAKEWOOD – A Township man has been charged for driving under the influence which resulted in a two-car crash that killed a woman, officials said.
Mordechai Berkowitz, 20, of Lakewood, has been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, Aggravated Assault and Assault by Auto in connection with a crash that took place in Lakewood on July 22 and resulted in the death of Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico.
In addition. Berkowitz was charged with the motor vehicle offenses of Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Speeding and Failure to Maintain Lane.
The crash occurred around 8:20 p.m. in the area of South Lake Drive and East Lake Park Drive as a result of Berkowitz crossing over the double yellow lines on South Lake Drive, police said.
This caused a head-on collision with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, driven by Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, with Lopez-Hernandez in the front passenger seat.
Flores-Moreno was brought to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune and is presently listed in stable condition. Lopez-Hernandez was brought to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood where she was pronounced deceased, officials said.
Berkowitz was brought to Jersey Shore University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. While there, an initial draw of his blood revealed that Berkowitz had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .215 %, which is over the legal state limit of .08.
Further investigation revealed that Berkowitz was driving at 90 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash. the posted speed limit on the roadway is 35 mph, officials said.
On July 27, Berkowitz surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, with his attorney present, to be formally served with the aforementioned charges. He was then transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Ocean County Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
