LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP, NJ – Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 6, 2023, Alejandro Huerta-Arias, 24, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charge of Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on March 9, 2022, resulting in the death of Mark Mandel, 32, of Lakewood.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the intersection of Madison Avenue and Courtney Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision resulting in a fatality.
Initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit revealed that Huerta-Arias was traveling northbound on Madison Avenue in a 2012 Infinity G35 when he struck a 2008 Chevrolet Impala – operated by Mr. Mandel – who was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Courtney Road. The impact of the crash propelled Mr. Mandel’s vehicle into a traffic signal. Mr. Mandel was pronounced deceased at the scene. Huerta-Arias was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of a fractured leg.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit revealed that the vehicle operated by Huerta-Arias was traveling at an average speed of 91 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash – more than double the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit posted on the roadway.
As a consequence, 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.