LAKEWOOD – A Toms River man has been charged for killing a woman in a car crash while driving with a suspended license, authorities said.
Martine Taylor, Jr., 56, was charged with Causing Death While Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on May 13.
Around 1:35 a.m., police received a call from a driver of a commercial tractor trailer who reported striking overhead utility wires while traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue near the Garden State Parkway overpass. Officers arrived at the area and contacted Jersey Central Power & Light to render the area safe.
During the course of the investigation, police found a heavily damaged 2015 Nissan Altima upside down in a drainage ditch adjacent to the eastbound lane of Cedar Bridge Avenue. A man, later identified as Taylor, was trapped inside the car. He was extricated from the vehicle and brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, authorities said.
Police also found a 52-year-old woman trapped in the passenger seat of the car. She was unresponsive and life-saving efforts were attempted. She was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities said.
According to authorities, the Altima had been traveling westbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue prior to the crash. The car crossed the double yellow centerline and entered the eastbound lanes before exiting the roadway. The car then became airborne and cleared the guardrail – traveling an estimated 189 feet through the air. While airborne it struck a utility pole, causing severe damage to the vehicle’s undercarriage.
The car made brief contact with the ground before becoming airborne again. During this time the car struck a tree and ultimately came to an uncontrolled final rest on its roof in the drainage ditch, authorities said.
It was revealed that Taylor’s driving privileges were suspended at the time of the crash.
In addition, a draw of Taylor’s blood was obtained at JSUMC pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
Taylor was served with the aforementioned charge via warrant at the hospital and was also issued multiple motor vehicle summons. Once Taylor is discharged from the hospital, he will be transported to the Ocean County Jail where he will be 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 combined 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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