Blood test shows fatal crash driver was on cocaine and fentanyl/
Toms River, NJ – A Lakehurst man is behind bars after being charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal crash that killed a construction worker on Lakewood Road in late July, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Douglas Smith, 51, was arrested on Wednesday at a home in Toms River, more than a month after prosecutors say he struck and killed 50-year-old Allen Adams of Lumberton while Adams was working in a marked construction zone. Authorities say Smith was impaired by alcohol and multiple drugs at the time of the crash.
The incident happened around 1:00 a.m. on July 31 in Toms River. Adams was found lying in the roadway with serious injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Community Medical Center.
Investigators determined Adams had been operating machinery with flashing amber lights in an active construction zone when he was hit by a vehicle traveling northbound on Lakewood Road, driven by Smith. Responding officers found Smith’s vehicle just north of the crash site. Upon making contact, they noted signs of impairment.
Smith was initially charged with DWI and reckless driving. After obtaining a court-authorized warrant, a blood draw revealed Smith’s blood alcohol content was .151—nearly twice the legal limit. Additionally, lab tests confirmed the presence of cocaine, fentanyl, and methadone in his system. On August 28, Smith was formally charged with vehicular homicide and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was apprehended on Wednesday by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Police. He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
During the investigation, authorities also charged two Toms River women, Tammie Malek, 46, and Amy Thorn, 56, with hindering apprehension after they allegedly provided false information about Smith’s whereabouts. Both were taken into custody at their residence and remain in jail pending hearings.
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Key Points
- Douglas Smith, 51, of Lakehurst, was charged with vehicular homicide in a July crash that killed a construction worker
- Smith was found to be intoxicated and under the influence of cocaine, fentanyl, and methadone
- Two women were also charged for allegedly lying to police about Smith’s location