Head-On Crash Kills 1 Woman, Seriously Injures 2nd In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A head-on crash killed one woman and seriously injured a second one Saturday night in Lakewood, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, died as a result of the injuries she suffered in the crash that happened about 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, the prosecutor's office said.

Lopez-Hernandez was a passenger in a 2017 Toyota RAV4 driven by Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, who was driving west on South Lake Drive when her Toyota was hit head-on by a 2018 Chevrolet Impala driven by Mordechai Berkowitz, 20, of Lakewood, who was driving east and crossed over the double yellow lines, authorities said.

Lopez-Hernandez was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she was pronounced dead.

Flores-Moreno was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where she is listed as stable, authorities said.

Berkowitz was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was treated and released, authorities said.

The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Lakewood Township Police Department, Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.