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High-Speed Crash in Ocean County Injures Four
According to Ocean County Prosecutor's Office,a man from Middlesex County has been charged with aggravated assault and assault by car in relation to a high-speed crash that happened in Jackson in January and left him and three other passengers injured.
Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged on April 3 with two charges of aggravated assault and three counts of assault by auto in relation to the collision that occurred on North County Line Road at 2:15 a.m. on January 27.
According to Billhimer, Obrzut struck the curbed median on North County Line Road while operating a 2020 BMW westward and failing to handle a right-hand curve.
He claimed that as a result, he lost control of the car, which rolled over into the Jackson Mills Road intersection and stopped when it struck some trees by the side of the road.
Ryan Ludwig, 23, of Manalapan Township, and Anthony Zito, 22, of Monroe Township, who were riding in the backseat, were sent to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for medical attention.
First admitted to the hospital, they were subsequently released, according to Billhimer. He stated that they are still recovering at home.
Michael Russo, 21, of Monroe Township, was riding in the front seat of Obrzut when he was brought to
CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township for minor injuries.
Obrzut was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment after sustaining minor injuries. Billhimer claimed that while he was there, police got a search warrant and took a sample of his blood for analysis.
The Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad of the prosecutor received the laboratory results of Obrzut's blood draw, which revealed that Obrzut had an active THC (marijuana) level of 14 nanograms (ng) and a metabolite THC level of 100ng.
According to Billhimer, this suggests that Obrzut had recently used marijuana at the time of the crash.
"Additionally, it is reasonably certain that Obrzut’s faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and that he could not have safely operated a motor vehicle," Billhimer said.
Billhimer claims that the Vehicular Homicide Squad's investigation showed that Obrzut's vehicle was traveling more than 100 km/h when it was involved in the incident. The posted speed limit on North County Line Road is 50 mph.
The investigation also turned up the fact that fog was present at the location, which would have reduced vision right before the collision.
As a result of New Jersey Bail Reform, Obrzut was released from the Ocean County jail after being charged on April 3 and being apprehended at his house, according to the prosecutor's office
