Ocean County Resident Receives Prison Sentence for Fatal DUI Crash

Ocean County Resident Receives Prison Sentence for Fatal DUI Crash

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, a Beachwood man who was drunk and speeding in a 2023 collision that killed a woman in Burlington County has been sentenced to prison.

John D. Zinkoski, 43, was given a five-year jail sentence for vehicular murder in the Plumsted Township crash in 2023 that claimed the life of Judi Smith, 59, of Browns Mills.

According to authorities, Zinkoski must complete 85 percent of his sentence before he can be considered for parole since the Superior Court Judge David M. Fritch's decision is subject to the No Early Release Act. According to authorities, Fritch also revoked Zinkoski's license for seven months.

On April 14, Zinkoski entered a guilty plea to vehicular homicide and driving under the influence before Fritch. According to authorities, he had cocaine and benzodiazepines in his system at the time of the collision, and his blood alcohol content was higher than.08 percent.

According to officials, the collision occurred in the vicinity of Pinehurst Road and Long Swamp Road in Plumsted at approximately 5:50 p.m. on May 12, 2023. A Nissan Frontier driven by Zinkoski, who was traveling south on Pinehurst Road, struck Smith's Volvo XC6 as she attempted to turn right onto the road.

Investigators discovered that Zinkoski was traveling at 86 mph at the time of the collision, according to authorities. Smith passed away from severe injuries sustained in the collision after being transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood.

After receiving medical attention at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Zinkoski was discharged after receiving treatment. In accordance with New Jersey Bail Reform regulations, he was charged on August 8, 2023, handed himself in to the police on August 22, 2023, and was then freed pending court proceedings.