Ocean County Man Faces Aggravated Manslaughter In Auto Death Of Lacey Township Man

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office has charged a Jackson man with aggravated manslaughter stemming from the July 14 fatal crashthat killed a Lanoka Harbor man.

Jack Kennedy Jr, 34, was arrested today at his Violet Lane home without incident, said spokesman Al Della Fave.

Kennedy's bail was set at $200,00 cash. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, he said.

Michael Gormley, 60, Lanoka Harbor, was traveling north on Whitesville Road at Medjay Lane and Kennedy was traveling south in his Nissan XTR when Kennedy when Kennedy crossed over the central yellow line and struck Gormley's car head-on, Della Fave said.

The investigation determined that Kennedy was under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and failing to have his vehicle properly inspected, Della Fave said.

A third person, Dawn Kavchok, 45, Manchester, was traveling behind Gormley in a 2015 Kia. She tried to avoid the crash but couldn't. She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, he said.

Gormley died as a result of his injuries. Kennedy was treated for his injuries at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune Township. Pleasant Plains and Silverton Fire Companies responded in order to extricate the victims from their vehicles. The injured were transported to area hospitals by Toms River and Silverton EMS Units.