LAKEWOOD, N.J. — A 20-year-old Lakewood man has been indicted for vehicular homicide in connection with a 2024 crash that claimed the life of an elderly driver, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Wednesday.
Aryeh Bakst was indicted by a grand jury on the charge stemming from a March 3, 2024 crash at the intersection of West County Line Road and Laurelwood Avenue in Lakewood that resulted in the death of 82-year-old Jules Brotsky, also of Lakewood.
According to authorities, Bakst was driving a 2023 Tesla westbound on County Line Road when he struck Brotsky’s 2013 Toyota Corolla in the intersection. Both drivers were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Brotsky was admitted in critical condition while Bakst was treated and released.
Investigators later determined Bakst was driving at 104 miles per hour just prior to the crash. The speed limit in the area is 45 miles per hour. Bakst was issued multiple motor vehicle summonses on March 7, including for reckless driving, careless driving, and speeding.
“Further investigation… revealed that the vehicle operated by Bakst was traveling at 104 miles-per-hour immediately prior to the crash,” the prosecutor’s office stated.
Victim succumbed weeks later
Brotsky died on March 26 from injuries sustained in the crash. The following day, Bakst was formally charged with vehicular homicide.
He surrendered to police on April 3 in the presence of his attorney. Following processing, Bakst was released under the guidelines of New Jersey Bail Reform.
The indictment announced Wednesday formally charges Bakst with causing Brotsky’s death by operating a motor vehicle recklessly.
No trial date has been set, and Bakst remains free pending further court proceedings.