Beachwood Man Was Drunk, Speeding In Fatal Crash: Prosecutor

BEACHWOOD, NJ — A Beachwood man is accused of being drunk, high and driving 86 miles per hour in a crash that killed a Browns Mills woman, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

John Zinkoski, 41, is charged with vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide in connection with the May 12 Plumsted crash that killed Judi Smith, 59, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

A warrant was issued for Zinkoski's arrest on Aug. 8, Billhimer said. As Zinkoski has not been taken into custody, he is considered a fugitive from justice, Billhimer said.

On May 12, shortly before 6 p.m., Plumsted police responded to the area of Pinehurst Road and Long Swamp Road for a serious motor vehicle crash, Billhimer said.

Smith, driving a Volvo XC6, was trying to turn right onto Pinehurst Road when she was struck by a Nissan Frontier driven by Zinkoski heading south on Pinehurst Road, Billhimer said.

Smith was significantly injured and taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, where she died from said injuries, Billhimer said.

Zinkoski was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries and released, Billhimer said.

A blood draw from Zinkoski's hospital stay showed that his blood alcohol concentration was past the legal limit, and cocaine and benzodiazepine were in his blood stream at the time of the crash as well, Billhimer said.

Zinkoski's car was also driving at an average speed of 86 miles per hour at the time of the crash, Billhimer said.

Zinkoski's name has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database, which tracks crime-related information.