OCEAN COUNTY – A Toms River man accused of causing a high-speed crash that killed a township resident will remain jailed while awaiting trial, a judge ruled this week.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer Jamie Doyle, 40, was ordered detained following a hearing on February 5. The decision was issued by Wendel E. Daniels, a retired Superior Court judge temporarily recalled to the bench. Doyle is being held at the Ocean County Jail.
Doyle faces charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license stemming from a January 23 collision in Toms River that authorities say claimed the life of Ronald Bucher, 76, also of Toms River. The detention hearing was handled by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke.
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Route 37 and Romana Lane. Investigators said a white Nissan Maxima traveling westbound on Route 37 struck a red Chevrolet Trax that was crossing the highway from Romana Lane and had the right of way. The impact caused severe damage, including intrusion into the passenger compartment of the smaller vehicle.
Bucher was extricated from the wreckage with critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts, authorities said.
Prosecutors alleged Doyle displayed erratic behavior after the crash, including slurred or irregular speech and constricted pupils. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River with a broken femur and possible head injuries.
Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit Vehicular Homicide Squad and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit assisted Toms River police at the scene. Witnesses reported the Nissan was driving erratically and ran multiple traffic signals before the collision.
Authorities said data recovered from the vehicle indicated the Nissan was traveling about 106 miles per hour five seconds before impact and struck the Chevrolet at approximately 65 miles per hour in a 50-mile-per-hour zone. Investigators also determined Doyle was driving with a suspended license.
Doyle was initially charged with driving while suspended in a fatal crash and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving and failure to obey traffic signals. The charges were later upgraded following the speed analysis, prosecutors said. A blood sample was taken pursuant to a court-authorized warrant, and results are pending.
Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are accusations only and that Doyle is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
