June 7, 2024
FREEHOLD – A female driver was saved from overdosing by law enforcement and emergency services personnel during a DWI checkpoint last Friday night, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago and Allenhurst Police Chief and Monmouth County DWI Task Force Coordinator Michael Schneider jointly announced on Friday.
The adult driver pulled into the checkpoint on Friday night, May 31, in the Asbury Park Circle and was speaking with a Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officer when she suddenly became disoriented. Shortly thereafter, she became unconscious behind the wheel of her vehicle, which was still in gear. Additional officers came over to assist and were able to get the vehicle into park and pull the unconscious driver from inside the car.
Officers administered three separate Narcan deployments before the female eventually started to show signs of regaining consciousness. The driver was transported by the Wanamassa First Aid Squad to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was treated and released.
The checkpoint was shut down for approximately 30 minutes while officers dealt with the medical emergency.
“This weekend’s DWI check acted as a safety net for not only this driver, but other residents and motorists who may have been in the vicinity at the time of the medical emergency,” Prosecutor Santiago stated. “I shudder to think of what may have happened if this driver wasn’t stopped at this checkpoint and continued driving down the road when the emergency took place. I’d like to thank our officers and medical personnel, whose quick actions saved a life and prevented what could have been a much worse outcome for everyone involved.”
“I think this incident shows just how important these checkpoints are,” Chief Schneider commented. “It’s extremely likely that pulling into this checkpoint saved this woman’s life. We have an extremely successful program in Monmouth County, and I think this puts an exclamation point on just how important these checkpoints are in keeping our roads safe.”
Summonses for the driver are pending an ongoing investigation.
The checkpoint contacted 686 vehicles that evening, with 9 summonses issued and 1 arrest.
June 7, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 7, 2024, the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., sentenced Christopher Hurley, 27, of Little Egg Harbor, to twelve years New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Robbery in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on February 5, 2022. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Hurley will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Hurley pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on March 18, 2024.
On February 5, 2022, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 9 for a report of an armed robbery. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect entered the store, brandished a knife at the cashier, and demanded money. The store staff surrendered the cash drawer to the suspect, who then fled the scene. A subsequent investigation into the matter transpired over approximately the next two weeks; as a result, Berkeley Township Detectives were able to identify Hurley as the individual responsible for robbing the Rite Aid on February 5th. In furtherance of the investigation, Detectives determined that Hurley had been arrested by Officers from Toms River Township Police Department on an unrelated charge on February 22, 2022, and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail at that time. Hurley was thereafter served with the Berkeley Township robbery charge at the Ocean County Jail on February 25, 2022. Hurley presently remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting sentence.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this matter leading to Hurley’s apprehension, guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
June 7, 2024
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 5, 2024, Sorah Tyner, 37, of Toms River, was charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide, Manslaughter, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Assault by Auto, Hindering, and Obstruction, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred on May 30, 2024, in Jackson Township.
On May 30, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the area of Cleveland Court and East Veterans Highway for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Jackson Township Police Department revealed that a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica being operated by Tyner and containing two minor passengers was traveling westbound on East Veterans Highway. While trying to negotiate a left-hand curve, Tyner crossed into the eastbound lane – striking a 2010 GMC Terrain operated by Carolina Bonilla-Hernandez, 36, of Jackson Township. As a result of the crash, Tyner and the two minors in her vehicle were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of their injuries. Upon arrival at the hospital, one of the juveniles was pronounced deceased. The second juvenile remains hospitalized and is listed in stable condition. Tyner was treated for her injuries and released.
Ms. Bonilla-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives determined that Tyner’s vehicle was in the oncoming lane for some distance prior to impact, and that she did not take corrective actions to avoid the crash. The investigation also revealed that only one of the minors was seated in an appropriate child car seat. The second minor, who died as a result of the crash, was restrained only by a seatbelt – notwithstanding the fact that due to his age and weight, he should have been retrained in a rear/front facing child car seat.
Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant for Tyner’s cell phone. A forensic extraction of the device by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit revealed that Tyner was using her cell phone at the time of the crash. Detectives determined that Tyner made inconsistent statements at the scene of the crash.
On June 6, 2024, Tyner was taken into custody at her residence without incident. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department Patrol Division, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
June 7, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 7, 2024, John Vincentini, 64, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to Bias Intimidation before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Lacey Township on September 5, 2022. Additionally, Vincentini pled guilty to unrelated charges of Possession of an Assault Firearm and Possession of More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute before Judge Palmer – in connection with incidents that occurred in Lacey Township in March 2024. At the time of his sentencing on July29, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the bias intimidation charge, five years NJSP with a 42 month period of parole ineligibility as to the assault firearm charge, and three years NJSP as to the narcotics charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau determined that on September 5, 2022, Vincentini was operating a motor vehicle in Lacey Township and followed an Amazon delivery driver into a cul-de-sac as the driver was making deliveries; Vincentini parked his vehicle in such a way as to block the Amazon driver’s vehicle. Vincentini proceeded to confront the driver, questioned the driver as to why he was in the neighborhood, and further inquired as to whether the driver understood that it was a racist neighborhood. Vincentini then asked the driver whether he wanted him to go back to his car, get his rifle, and shoot the driver in the head. The Amazon driver then drove away and contacted the Lacey Township Police Department. On October 5, 2022, Vincentini surrendered himself to the Lacey Township Police Department and was charged with bias intimidation. He was processed and released on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
On March 15, 2024, the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by local residents to report that a package of marijuana was delivered to their residence in a re-purposed Amazon box. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lacey Township Police Department revealed that John Vincentini was the individual who delivered the box containing the marijuana to the subject residence.
On March 21, 2024, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Lacey Township Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant on the Vincentini residence in Lacey. As a result, Detectives seized approximately ten pounds of Marijuana, 15 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia associated with the packaging and distribution of narcotics, two assault firearms, a rifle style BB gun, and approximately $150,000 in United States Currency. John Vincentini and Karen Vincentini, John Vincentini’s wife, were both taken into custody without incident at their residence and charged accordingly. They were transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they have been lodged since their arrest. The charges against Karen Vincentini remain pending.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ashley Angelo and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled this case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Bias Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Asset Forfeiture Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective efforts in connection with these investigations – leading to Vincentini’s guilty pleas and soon his state prison sentence.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
June 7, 2024
EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)– Mayor Janice S. Mironov, and Council Members Marc Lippman, Denise Daniels, Anthony Katawick, David Russell, Johnnie Whittington and John Zoller, joined by members of Mercer County Moms Demand Action, issued a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing June 7 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day,” to raise awareness about the impacts of gun violence and to encourage responsible gun ownership and use. Mercer County Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement seeking to raise awareness about the impacts of gun violence and keeping families safe.
Mayor Mironov stated, “Gun violence is a tragic reality nationwide, with more than 120 Americans killed each day. ‘National Gun Violence Awareness Day’, is an opportunity to focus together to honor and remember all victims and survivors of gun violence and to recommit ourselves to doing all that we can to reduce the impacts of senseless gun violence in our community and in our nation.” Mayor Mironov added,
“Irregardless of anyone’s views, there are many things we all can agree on and do, such as responsibly using gun locks when storing weapons.”
The Mayoral Proclamation issued by Mayor Mironov states, “Americans are 26 times more likely to die by gun homicide than people in higher-income nations. The Township renews our commitment to reduce gun violence and pledge to do all we can to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and encourage responsible gun ownership to help keep all of our citizens and children safer.”
Mayor Janice S. Mironov and Council Members present Proclamation recognizing June 7 a “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” to members of Mercer County Moms Demand Action. Pictured (from left to right) are: Deputy Mayor David Russell; Council
Member Marc Lippman; Council Member Denise Daniels; Sherry Hurwitz; Mayor Janice Mironov; Patricia Clark; Council Member John Zoller; Council Member Johnnie Whittington and Council Member Anthony Katawick.
June 7, 2024-Update
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron, of the New Jersey State Police, Office of Public Information told Midjersey.news that Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash on June 7 at 6:37 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike north outer roadway milepost 65.5 in East Windsor, Mercer County. Based on a preliminary investigation, a Toyota pickup truck was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike. In the area of milepost 65.5, the Toyota ran off the roadway right, collided with the guard rail and overturned. During the collision, the driver was ejected from the vehicle. As a result of the crash, the driver, Jesse Nobre, a 33-year-old male of Delran, NJ, sustained fatal injuries. The crash remains under investigation and there is no additional information available at this time.
Original MidJersey.news story below:
Fatal Crash Investigation on New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor, NJ
The scene this morning on the New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor.
June 7, 2024
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Police say that on June 06, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., a 2013 Honda Accord, driven by Shane T. McKenna, a resident of Hamilton NJ, was involved in a fatal motor vehicle collision. The preliminary investigation appears to indicate the vehicle was traveling northbound on Crosswicks Hamilton Square Road when it collided with a guardrail along northbound side of the road. The vehicle then traveled across the southbound lane of travel and left the roadway. The vehicle continued across a grass covered field before impacting a tree.
McKenna was the sole occupant of the vehicle and he was declared deceased at the scene.
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Hamilton Township Fire Division and the Hamilton Township Road Department.
The crash is being investigated by Officer F. LaVacca of the Hamilton Township Traffic Unit. Any witnesses to this collision are asked to contact the police non-emergency number at (609)581-4000
June 7, 2024
Delran, NJ, Man Killed in NJ Turnpike Crash in East Windsor
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–At 6:41 a.m. the Robbinsville Township Fire Department, Hightstown Fire Company, EMS and New Jersey State Police were detailed to the New Jersey Turnpike, north bound, outer lanes, near mile post 65, which is near the Old York Road overpass for a crash with entrapment. Upon arrival it was reported that a pickup truck was on its side with a person ejected from the vehicle. Paramedics responded and made a pronouncement.
The outer lanes “truck lanes” of the New Jersey Turnpike in East Windsor will be closed for a serious crash investigation. Traffic is currently being diverted to the inner lanes north bound from Exit 7A to Exit 8.
Information contained in this article is preliminary information and when official information becomes available the story will be updated as needed.
Crash with Injuries on New Jersey Turnpike Outer Roadway northbound South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes closed – all traffic diverted to northbound inner roadway up to Interchange 7A https://t.co/jXYOBBYwFO
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) June 7, 2024
Delays and Rubbernecking delays on New Jersey Turnpike Inner Roadway northbound North of Interchange 7A – I-195 (Robbinsville) to South of Interchange 8 – NJ 33 (East Windsor Twp) All lanes open 4 mile delay due to an incident on the NJ https://t.co/7LgyEEIpz8
— 511NJ TPK (@511njtpk) June 7, 2024