October 10, 2023
WALL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Wall Township Police reported that on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at approximately 6:45 p.m. the Wall Township Police Department responded to the area of State Highway 35 and 18th Avenue for a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles with multiple injuries reported.
The investigation on scene revealed that 2011 Nissan Altima being operated by Mitchell G. Holley (34) of Linburn, Georgia was traveling on State Highway 35 southbound, when he left his lane of travel and entered the northbound lane of State Highway 35 striking a 2023 Mazda CX3 being operating by a 39-year-old man and occupied by a 31-year-old female both of Point Pleasant. All occupants were required to be extricated from their vehicles by emergency crews and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
State Highway 35 from Wall Church Road to 18th Avenue was shut down in both directions for approximately an hour and half while emergency crews conducted extrication and medical treatment and crash investigators processed the scene. Fire and rescue crews from West Belmar Fire Department, Glendola Fire Department and South Wall Fire and Rescue responded to the scene as well as emergency medical crews from Wall Township Police EMS, Belmar EMS and paramedics from Hackensack Meridian.
Mr. Holley who was operating the Nissan Altima was found to be operating a motor vehicle with a suspended drivers license. He was issued motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving and driving while suspended, criminal charges are pending toxicology results at this time.
The collision is currently being investigated by members of the Wall Township Police Department. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact Patrolman Hunter Manning or Captain Chad Clark at (732) 449-4500.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and New Jersey State Law.
October 10, 2023
LAKEWOOD, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that the victims who perished in the motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on October 7, 2023, have been identified as Jayla Ortiz, 23, of Lakewood, Ceasia Jefferson, 24, of Neptune Township, and a 17-year-old male of Lanoka Harbor.
On October 7, 2023, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the area of New Hampshire Avenue and Cedar Bridge Avenue for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Lakewood Township Police Department determined that a 2009 Honda Accord being operated by Jayla Ortiz, and containing passengers Mylani Theibault, 18, Lakewood, seated in the front passenger seat, Alexis Holloway, 23, of Berkeley Township, Ceasia Jefferson, 24, of Neptune, and a 17 year-old male of Lanoka Harbor, all seated in the rear passenger seat, was traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue. Ms. Ortiz failed to stop at a red traffic signal and entered the intersection – striking a 2008 Dodge Truck. The impact caused the Dodge Truck to roll over and split in two. The Honda Accord continued off the roadway and struck a metal traffic signal pole; upon contact with the pole, the Accord likewise broke into two parts.
“As a result of the crash, Mathew Draheim, 56, of Lakewood, who was the operator of the Dodge Truck, was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune to be treated for minor injuries. Jayla Ortiz and Ceasia Jefferson were pronounced deceased at the scene. Mylani Theibault, Alexis Holloway, and the 17-year-old male, were transported to JSUMC for treatment. At the hospital, the 17-year-old male succumbed to his injuries. Mylani Theibault and Alexis Holloway remain hospitalized; Mylani Theibault is currently listed in stable condition. Alexis Holloway is currently listed in critical condition,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare. Our thoughts and prayers are with these young men and women, their families and their friends,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
“The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Lakewood Township Police Department,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation.
