Monmouth Co. Woman, 19, Killed Man While Driving High: Prosecutor

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A 19-year-old Monmouth County woman has been sentenced to four years in a juvenile detention center after killing a pedestrian while driving high on marijuana, said Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and acting Old Bridge Police Chief Joseph Mandola.

The fatal accident happened on Rt. 34 in Old Bridge in early February of 2020.

Amy Amkhanitsky, 19, of Morganville was sentenced to four years in prison after she was convicted of strict liability vehicular homicide.

The county prosecutor said that at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2020, police responded to the area of Rt. 34 and Anchor Boulevard. There, they found Richard Lockwood III, 69, of Old Bridge who sustained serious blunt force trauma.

Lockwood was transported from the scene to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead later that evening.

Police say Amkhanitsky fatally struck Lockwood with her car as Lockwood attempted to cross Rt. 34 at a crosswalk. Police also say Amkhanitsky was under the influence of marijuana when she struck Lockwood.

"Evidence of marijuana impairment was found following the toxicological analysis of a blood sample taken from (Amkhanitsky)," said a spokesman for the Middlesex County Prosecutor.

Amkhanitsky was initially charged with one count of first-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree death by auto and one count of third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide. She ultimately pleaded guilty to the third and final charge.

Contrary to other media reports, she was not charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Although initially charged as a juvenile, Amkhanitsky was ultimately prosecuted as an adult.

She was sentenced last Wednesday to four years in the care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission for one count of third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide. She was also sentenced for driving while intoxicated.

Old Bridge Police Patrolman Greg Miller and Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office led the investigation.

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