Speeding at 118 MPH, Unlicensed Teen Driver Causes Fatal Toms River Crash

Speeding at 118 MPH, Unlicensed Teen Driver Causes Fatal Toms River Crash

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, An unlicensed teen has been charged with aggravated manslaughter, death by auto, and other offenses following a Route 37 crash that killed two people and critically injured two others Friday night in Toms River.

On Saturday, neither of the victims nor the teenager in custody at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center were identified, according to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

FATAL CRASH - OCEAN COUNTY

On March 7, 2025, at approximately 10:45 p.m., Toms River Township Police Department officers observed a white BMW traveling eastbound over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge at a high rate of speed.

Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle continued northbound on Route 35 at a high rate of speed; the pursuit was called off for safety reasons.

Officers informed law enforcement in neighboring towns about the offending vehicle. A short time later, Seaside Heights Police Officers observed the same BMW driving southbound on Route 35.

The vehicle was observed to be traveling at approximately 118 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. Toms River Township Police were stationed on the westbound side of the J. Stanley Tunney Bridge, where they observed the BMW continue to travel at a high rate of speed westbound on Route 37.

Officers followed the vehicle from a distance, but did not pursue for safety reasons. At approximately 10:58 p.m., the BMW crashed into a Toyota Camry at the intersection of Route 37 and Route 166.

Officers attempted to render aid at the scene, but it was discovered that the driver and front seat passenger of the Toyota Camry were deceased. Two backseat passengers in the Toyota were severely injured and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of their injuries. They are both listed in critical condition.

The driver of the BMW was uninjured and was detained by police. The front seat passenger in the BMW was transported to JSUMC for his injuries; he was treated and released. The backseat passenger in the BMW was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was likewise treated and released.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Toms River Township Police Department revealed that the driver of the BMW was a juvenile, and did not possess a valid New Jersey driver’s license.

In furtherance of the investigation, the juvenile was transported to Community Medical Center where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.

The results of the blood draw remain pending. The juvenile was processed at Toms River Township Police Headquarters, and is currently lodged at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).