LAKEWOOD – An off-duty Lakewood police officer was critically injured after a driver sped through a red light and collided with him, authorities said.
The crash occurred Saturday around 12:10 a.m. at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Cedar Bridge Avenue.
A Chevy Silverado, driven by 20-year-old Edwin Ramirez-Carranza of Lakewood, was traveling northbound on New Hampshire Avenue when it went through a red traffic light. As a result, it impacted a Honda Civic which was traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue.
According to authorities, the driver of the Honda Civic was an off-duty Lakewood Township Police Officer who had just ended his shift.
The officer was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, where he is listed in critical condition.
Authorities also learned that Ramirez- Carranza was driving at about 106 miles per hour just seconds before the collision.
Police found marijuana in Ramirez-Carranza’s vehicle. He was also brought to JSUMC for treatment of his injuries and a draw of his blood was obtained.
Ramirez-Carranzo was charged with Aggravated Assault and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses, specifically, Operating an Unregistered Vehicle, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving, Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal, Speeding, Operating a Motor Vehicle After 11 p.m. With a Probationary Driver’s License, Using a Wireless Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Probationary Driver’s License, Failure to Have Required Decals on a License Plate While Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Probationary Driver’s License, and Having an Unsealed Container of Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle.
On April 20, Ramirez-Carranza was released from JSUMC and was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended 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 collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
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.
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