May 14, 2024
Manchester Township NJ – On Tuesday, at approximately 10:35am officers of the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched to Horicon Ave approximately a half-mile east of County Route 530 for the report of an overturned pick-up truck.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed a white 2020 Toyota Tacoma overturned on its driver side with extensive front-end damage. The investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling west on Horicon Ave. The Toyota crossed over the center line and left the roadway to the left and impacted several trees. Due to the impact with the trees, it caused the vehicle to rotate approximately 180 degrees and overturn onto its driver’s side. The Toyota came to final rest on its driver’s side facing east partially in the eastbound travel lane of Horicon Ave.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 42-year-old, Jeremy D. Bier of Pennsauken, NJ, suffered multiple severe injuries to his entire body. Mr. Bier was transported via Medevac to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. It was determined that Mr. Bier at the time of the crash was not wearing a seatbelt. Mr. Bier is listed in critical condition at this time.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department, firefighters from Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson LifeFlight. The investigation into this crash is still on going, however, failure to maintain lane and failure to wear a seatbelt appear to be the primary contributing factors. This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.
May 14, 2024
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 14, 2024, the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., sentenced Ryan Thompson, 35, of Trenton, to seven years New Jersey State Prison as a result of his previously entered guilty plea to Manslaughter in connection with the death of a 55-year-old male in Berkeley Township on September 29, 2023. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Thompson will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility. Thompson pled guilty to the charge before Judge Rahill on March 4, 2024.
On September 29, 2023, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a residence on Torrey Pines Drive for a report of an unresponsive male. Upon arrival, Officers discovered the body of the victim – already deceased from an apparent drug overdose.
A continuing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, revealed that Thompson and his co-defendants, Michael Wormann, 38, of Toms River, and Tina Martinez, 61, of Trenton, were involved in the distribution of fentanyl to the victim on September 28, 2023.
On September 30, 2023, Wormann was charged with Distribution of Fentanyl, Possession of Less than One-Half Ounce of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Fentanyl. He was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Berkeley Township Police Officers, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 17, 2023, Martinez was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. She was taken into custody without incident at her residence in Trenton, transported to New Jersey State Police Headquarters in Trenton, and released on a summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
On October 20, 2023, Thompson was likewise charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. He turned himself in to Berkeley Township Police Headquarters on that date, and was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has remained lodged since.
Further investigation and toxicology analysis received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the victim’s system. Based upon the toxicology analysis, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office opined that the fentanyl found in the victim’s system was the cause of his death. As a consequence, Thompson, Wormann, and Martinez were all charged accordingly in connection with the victim’s death.
On March 18, 2024, both Wormann and Martinez pled guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl before Judge Rahill; the State is recommending they be sentenced to 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation. Both Wormann and Martinez are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Rahill on June 7, 2024.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who handled the case on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Trenton City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Victim Witness Unit, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation, ultimately resulting in Thompson’s guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.
Photo by EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA on Pexels.com
May 14, 2024
HAMILTON – (May 14, 2024) – The ninth edition of Robbinsville Township Mayor Dave Fried’s groundbreaking “Pay it Forward” initiative produced another milestone Tuesday at The Stone Terrace by John Henry’s.
As part of his annual State of Robbinsville Township address to benefit Robbinsville Meals on Wheels, the mayor announced the total amount raised for individuals and organizations in need since 2015 has eclipsed $500,000.
“That is something I never imagined in my wildest dreams, said Fried, who also presented “Pay it Forward Community Partner Awards” to Christine O’Brian of David Bradley Chocolatier and local non-profit Be Kind Inc. “We love this event. We transformed something we had to do by law into something we look forward to doing. We’ve made a tangible difference in people’s lives and that’s really cool.”
With Meals on Wheels founder Josephine Parr, 87, a surprise attendee, the mayor – with the help of current MOW Executive Director Jodi Marra – bestowed Mrs. Parr with just the third David L. Fried Humanitarian Award.
“None of this could be possible without the vision, compassion and kindness of Josephine Parr,” he said. “We have only given out two of these (Humanitarian Awards) in my nearly 20 years as mayor, so this is as special as it gets. Her vision, compassion and kindness shown to every single homebound resident of Robbinsville over the past three decades is an inspiration.”
As for Township business, Fried announced that the May 9 introduced municipal budget includes the 10th flat or reduced tax rate in the past 13 years. A public hearing and vote for adoption on the $28.5 million budget is scheduled for June 13.
“Getting there was not easy, it almost never is on either side of the balance sheet, but we are staying flat despite the worst inflation battle since the 70s, which as you all know has led to price hikes everywhere you turn,” Fried said. “We are doing this while also improving our services and adding initiatives. No one hates raising taxes more than me, and I am very happy to be able to stay flat this year.”
The mayor, who was introduced by the evening’s emcee – Mercer County Commissioner and William Penn Bank Senior Vice President Nina Melker – also unveiled his revised vision for moving Robbinsville’s municipal court and police department into the former Roma/Investors Bank Building next door to the existing municipal building at 2298 Route 33.
“Logistically speaking, the decision is a no-brainer,” he said. “Financially speaking, leasing the building for 10 to 12 years – compared to buying it outright at what we consider an inflated price – seems to be the way to go. Even after retrofit and other renovations, we will still save compared to building new. We also leave open the option of owning the building via condemnation when the lease expires. we desperately need a new court and police station – which will be shared both in terms of space and costs – with our neighbors in Hightstown. We cannot kick this can down the road any further because there is no more road.”
Past Pay it Forward recipients include the Shepherd Family, Quilts for Comfort, Deborah Dauer, C.A.R.E., Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, the We Love Our R’ville Neighbors campaign, the Breden Family and the McLaughin family.
Donations to Meals on Wheels are still being accepted. Please make checks payable to C.A.R.E. and send to: 2298 Route 33, Robbinsville, NJ 08691. Attn: Jodi Stephens. Please write “2024 Pay it Forward” in the check notes.
