Driver Sought In Fatal Christmas Eve Crash In Ocean County

JACKSON, NJ — Authorities are searching for a Jackson Township man in connection with a Christmas Eve crash that killed a Howell Township woman, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Roberto Alcazar-Sanchez, 27, of Jackson, is believed to have been the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado that was involved in a collision with a 2010 Mercedes Benz driven by Norman Shtab, 83, of Howell, Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.

Shtab's wife, Phyllis, 81, was severely injured in the crash and died of her injuries on Dec. 26 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Billhimer said. Norman Shtab was treated and released, he said.

"We are currently trying to positively identify and locate the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado. This is an active and ongoing investigation," Billhimer said.

The crash happened about 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve after Shtab got off Interstate 195 at Exit 21, authorities said. Shtab was turning left onto Cedar Swamp Road when the collision with the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado happened, Billhimer said.

After the crash, the driver of the Silverado ran off, Billhimer said. A passenger, Gerardo Castillo-Mendoza, 30, of Wrightstown, was treated at Jersey Shore University Medical Center for his injuries and released.

Billhimer said the investigation has preliminarily identified Alcazar-Sanchez as the driver, and the investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Jackson police and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit is continuing.

Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Detective Anthony Carrington of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027 or Officer Tristan Bennett of the Jackson Township Police Department at 732-928-1111.

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