Ocean County Man Indicted In Fatal Crash

Alejandro Huerta-Arias (Photo courtesy Ocean County Jail)

  TOMS RIVER – A Township man has been indicted for Vehicular Homicide after driving double the speed limit, causing the death of another driver.

  Alejandro Huerta-Arias, 24, of Toms River, was driving northbound on Madison Avenue (Route 9) at around 8:15 a.m. on March 9, 2022. His Infinity G35 struck a Chevrolet Impala that was turning onto Courtney Road. The Impala was pushed into a traffic signal.

  The driver of the Impala, Mark Mandel, 32, of Lakewood, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Huerta-Arias broke his leg in the crash.

  According to authorities, Huerta-Arias was traveling more than twice the speed limit, his average speed was 91 mph at the time of the crash in a 40 mph zone.

  Huerta-Arias was charged with Vehicular Homicide on June 7, 2022, and he surrendered himself at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters on the same date. 

  Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their efforts in connection with this investigation.

  Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.