LAKEWOOD – A Lakewood Township man is facing jail time for driving under the influence which resulted in a two-car crash that killed a woman, authorities said.
Mordechai Berkowitz, 23, pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto in connection with a crash that occurred in Lakewood on July 22, 2022, resulting in the death of Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, and causing serious bodily injury to Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson.
At the time of his sentencing on July 18, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act as to the Vehicular Homicide charge, and four years NJSP as to the Assault by Auto charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
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 Flores-Moreno with Lopez-Hernandez in the front passenger seat.
Flores-Moreno was brought to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune for treatment and was later released to a rehabilitation facility. Lopez-Hernandez was brought to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood where she was pronounced deceased, authorities 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 .157%, 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, authorities said.
On July 27, 2022, Berkowitz surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, with his attorney present, to be formally served with the charges. He was then transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara and Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano who are handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, 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 leading to Berkowitz’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
