Prosecutors say a New Jersey man fled into the woods after a crash that seriously injured multiple people before blood tests revealed alcohol and drugs in his system
Toms River, NJ — A Manchester Township man accused of driving the wrong way while impaired by alcohol and drugs is now facing additional criminal charges after investigators concluded he caused a head-on crash that left multiple people injured in Toms River.
Ocean County prosecutors announced that Andrew Gajewski, 30, was charged with two additional counts of Assault by Auto causing serious bodily injury while driving impaired in connection with the May 18 crash.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. near Route 37 and Batchelor Street.
Responding officers found a 2022 Ford F-150 and a 2021 GMC Acadia with damage consistent with a head-on collision.
According to investigators, Gajewski, who was driving the Ford, fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash.
The driver of the GMC Acadia was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was later released to a rehabilitation facility.
A passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the Ford were taken to Community Medical Center for treatment and later released.
Authorities said Gajewski was located in a wooded area near the crash scene after allegedly resisting arrest and assaulting a Toms River Police K-9 during his apprehension.
Officers reported observing signs of impairment, and investigators later obtained a court-authorized blood sample.
According to prosecutors, laboratory testing revealed Gajewski was under the influence of alcohol and controlled dangerous substances at the time of the crash and was unfit to operate a vehicle.
Investigators also determined that Gajewski was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the roadway and speeding shortly before the collision.
In addition to the new assault-by-auto charges, Gajewski previously faced charges including leaving the scene of a crash resulting in serious bodily injury, resisting arrest, injuring a law enforcement animal and multiple traffic offenses.
On Tuesday, detectives arrested Gajewski at his residence without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains held pending a detention hearing.
The charges are accusations, and Gajewski is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Prosecutors say a Manchester Township man was impaired by alcohol and drugs during a head-on crash.
- Investigators allege he was driving the wrong way and fled the scene on foot.
- Multiple people were injured, and the suspect now faces additional assault-by-auto charges.
