Man Who Struck Pole Was Using Drugs, Had Toddler In Car: Cops

Berkeley police have charged a Lacey Township man with multiple drug offenses and endangering the welfare of a child, after he struck a utility pole on Route 9 recently, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Patrolmen Patrick Stesner and Edward Hendrickson, as well as Lacey Township Patrolmen Riccardella and Androcy responded to the scene on Route 9 near the border of Lacey and Berkeley townships for a motor vehicle accident at 4:23 p.m. on May 8, the chief said.

The driver, Shawn P. Kennedy, 37, of Maple Lane, Forked River, was under the influence of drugs, but unharmed. In addition, a 15-month-old child was also in the vehicle. The child was treated by at scene by emergency medical services and later released to a relative, DiMichele said.

Kennedy was arrested and brought to Berkeley Township police headquarters. Kennedy was charged with multiple drug charges, and multiple motor vehicle violations. Kennedy was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Municipal Court Judge James Gluck set his bail at $25,000 cash. Kennedy was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of bail, the chief said.