Toms River Man Indicted In 91-MPH Fatal Crash In Lakewood

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man has been indicted in a fatal 2022 crash that authorities say happened as he drove at high speed through a Route 9 intersection in Lakewood.

Alejandro Huerta-Arias, 24, of Toms River, was indicted April 6 by a grand jury on a charge of vehicular homicide in the March 9, 2022, crash that killed Mark Mandel, 32, of Lakewood, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Huerta-Arias was driving north on Madison Avenue, also known as Route 9, about 8:15 a.m. in a 2012 Infiniti G35 when he hit the 2008 Chevrolet Impala being driven by Mandel, authorities said. Mandel was southbound on Route 9 at the time and was trying to turn left onto Courtney Road, authorities said. Mandel died at the scene from the impact, authorities said.

Huerta-Arias's Infiniti hit a traffic signal and he suffered a broken leg and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Billhimer said.

Further investigation showed the Infiniti was going an average of 91 mph at the time of the crash, more than double the 40 mph posted speed limit, Billhimer said.

Huerta-Arias was charged with vehicular homicide on June 7, 2022, and he surrendered himself at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters on the same date. Huerta-Arias was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.