DWI Probed After Car Smashes Into Jackson Building: Police

JACKSON, NJ — As authorities continue to investigate a crash from early Sunday morning where a car smashed into a building in Jackson, the owner of the company that occupies the space is expressing gratitude that no one — including him — was in the building at the time of the crash.

The crash happened about 1 a.m. Sunday when a silver car smashed into the building at Brilliant Environmental Services in Jackson, The Lakewood Scoop reported.

The building sits on Whitesville Road at the T intersection with Faraday Road.

The driver of the car and the passenger both were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment, Jackson Police Chief Matthew D. Kunz said Monday. Their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, he said.

Kunz said the preliminary investigation showed evidence the driver may have been impaired and blood was drawn at the hospital as part of the ongoing investigation.

Philip Brilliant of Toms River, owner of Brilliant Environmental Services, shared photos he took of the scene early Sunday morning and later in the day, showing the car smashed into the building and the damage inside the office at the front corner that was hit.

"That’s my office," Brilliant said. "I would not be texting you right now. My girlfriend walked in and started crying because I would be dead."

"They survive, but I’d be dead," Brilliant said.

Kunz did not have the names of the driver and passenger, or information about their ages or hometowns.

Brilliant said he was working with his insurance company and landlord but that his business will remain open while repairs are made to the building.

"Today has been a long day but I am very thankful for an awesome staff, colleagues, friends, family and Debbie Boduck Lentini," Brilliant wrote. "For all who reached out on Facebook, phone or text, thanks for the support."

Brilliant, in his initial post about the crash, said it's not the first time his company's offices have been hit by a car.

"Back at our Lakewood office, someone drove through, too," he wrote.

Brilliant said Jackson Township police, firefighters, the Jackson Building Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Michael Mastonardy, and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office responded.