TOMS RIVER – A woman responsible for killing a man after hitting him while driving under the influence has been indicted for Vehicular Homicide, officials said.
Ashley Beams, 32, of Toms River, was indicted on the charges of Vehicular Homicide and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide in connection with a crash that occurred on February 8, 2022.
The crash took place near Twin Oaks Drive in the area of Bay Avenue at around 10:30 p.m. Beams was driving east on Bay Avenue when she failed to maintain her lane and entered the shoulder.
As a result, she hit James Cruz, 62, of the Parlin section of Old Bridge Township, who at the time was getting a package out of his car.
Cruz was pinned between the two vehicles and was carried a significant distance eastbound on Bay Avenue before the cars came to rest, officials said. Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene.
Beams was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of injuries she sustained in the crash.
At the hospital, it was learned that Beams’ Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was higher than the legal limit of .08.
On February 16, 2022, Beams was arrested at her home by detectives and was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the 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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