TOMS RIVER – Three men charged in connection with a high-speed crash that killed two young adults on Route 37 last March have been offered plea deals by prosecutors, according to court proceedings first reported by the Asbury Park Press and News 12 New Jersey.
The defendants — Carlos Martinez, 18; Ryan Rivera, 18; and Jake Beauchamp, 20 — appeared before Judge Guy Ryan at the Ocean County Courthouse on October 29 for what was scheduled to be an arraignment.
That hearing was postponed until December 5 following legal motions, including a request by Martinez for a change of venue.
Authorities said Martinez was behind the wheel of a white BMW traveling more than 100 mph when it slammed into another vehicle on March 7, killing 23-year-old Evan Fiore and 21-year-old Kiley Armstrong.
Martinez, who was allegedly drunk and driving without a license, faces 41 counts including vehicular homicide and aggravated assault. Prosecutors offered him a 30-year prison sentence if he agreed to plead guilty to several of the most serious charges. Rivera and Beauchamp, accused of aiding in the crime and hindering prosecution, were each offered 20-year plea deals.
Attorneys for Martinez and Rivera rejected the state’s offers outright, while Beauchamp’s public defender said his client is still considering his options.
“We reject said offer. In fact, we reject any offer. My client maintains his innocence. We imagine this case will go to trial,” said Martinez’s attorney, Reid Weinman.
Prosecutors told the court that the discovery process will be lengthy due to a large volume of digital evidence, including cellphone data.
The three defendants are scheduled to return to court for an early disposition conference in December.
A GoFundMe that was set up for the victims to benefit the families affected raised over $218,000.
