Belmar Man Indicted For Assault By Auto On Two Pine Beach Police Officers

An Ocean County grand jury has indicted a Belmar man on two counts of fourth-degree assault by auto stemming from a July 2014 incident where he struck and injured two Pine Beach police officers, Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said.

Jeffrey S. Carstens, 44, could face a maximum of 18 months in New Jersey state prison on the two counts, said spokesperson Al Della Fave.

Pine Beach officers Robert King and Jesse Urban were conducting a traffic stop on July 18, 2014 when they were struck and injured by Carsten’s vehicle. Blood samples later revealed that his blood alcohol level was over the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Della Fave said.

Carstens was served the two counts of assault by auto on Jan. 2, 2015 by Ocean County Detective Michael Proto. He remains free on a summons, he said.

Urban was suspended without pay in a separate incident after he made a 911 call in January 2015 to report that his gun had accidentally discharged and struck a 23-year-old friend in the leg at the 7-11 in Lacey Township.

Urban, 23, was charged with driving under the influence after the shooting incident, Coronato has said.