JACKSON – A Middlesex County man has been charged with driving while high and speeding over 100 mph, causing him to crash and injure passengers, police said.
Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and three counts of Assault by Auto, in connection with a crash that occurred in Jackson on January 27.
The crash happened around 2:15 a.m. in the area of North County Line Road and Jackson Mills Road. According to police, Obrzut was driving a 2020 BMW with 21-year-old Michael Russo as the front seat passenger and rear seat passengers 22-year-old Anthony Zito and 23-year-old Ryan Ludwig.
Obrzut was traveling westbound on North County Line Road when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve in the road and hit the curbed median. As a result, he lost control of the car and began to roll. The car continued to roll through the intersection of North County Line Road and Jackson Mills Road until it struck trees on the side of the roadway, finally coming to a rest, officials said.
Russo was brought to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township for treatment of minor injuries. Zito and Ludwig were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of their injuries and originally admitted to the hospital. They were both subsequently released and are currently recovering at home, officials said.
Obrzut sustained minor injuries from the crash and was also taken to JSUMC for treatment. There, Obrzut’s blood was drawn revealing he had an Active THC (marijuana) level of 14 nanograms (ng) with a Metabolite THC level of 100ng – using marijuana at the time of the crash. Authorities believe Obrzut’s senses were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and that he could not have safely operated a car.
In addition, officials discovered the Obrzut was traveling in excess of 100 mph just prior to the crash. The posted speed limit on the roadway is 50 mph.
Lastly, authorities said that due to fog, there was low visibility at the time of the crash.
On April 3, Obrzut was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and three counts of Assault by Auto. On that date, Obruzut was taken into custody at his residence without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and cooperative efforts 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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