LAVALLETTE – A Lavallette driver has admitted to hitting an elderly man while driving with several drugs in his system.
Brian Kosanke, 39, of Lavallette, has pled guilty to the charges of Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution and Driving While Intoxicated.
On October 19, 2019, Thomas Castronovo, 80, of Warren, was struck near the corner of Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue around 6:30 p.m. Lavallette Police Officers and first responders administered lifesaving measures but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation revealed that Kosanke was driving northbound on Route 35 when he hit Castronovo as he was crossing at Guyer Avenue.
According to Kosanke’s blood test, he was under the influence of Xanax, cocaine, fentanyl and Gabapentin. Kosanke was arrested on November 7, 2019 and has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since.
At the time of his sentencing on January 21, the State will be seeking a term of eight years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP), subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, with regard to the Vehicular Homicide offense, and 18 months as to the Hindering charge.
