Driver in Deadly Crash Identified as 39-Year-Old Man from Ocean County

Driver in Deadly Crash Identified as 39-Year-Old Man from Ocean County

On Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, at 0752 hours, the Lacey Township Police Department, including members from Lanoka Harbor EMS and Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, responded to the intersection of Lake Barnegat Drive North and Haines Street for a report of a vehicle that drove through a residential fence and collided into a tree. Upon arrival, officers discovered the driver, Eric Olesen, 39, of Forked River, deceased.

The Lacey Township Police Department Fatal Accident Support Team (FAST) was activated, along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, and responded to investigate.

Preliminary investigation concluded that Eric was traveling eastbound on Haines Street, when he turned onto Lake Barnegat Drive North, drove off the roadway, and crashed through the fence of a Haines Street residence. Eric drove through the fence, into the backyard, and struck a tree. There were no other injuries reported at the scene.

The crash is still under investigation by Officer Tyler Walsh #118. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Walsh at (609) 693-6636 ext. 2714 or email twalsh@laceypd.org.