New charges were filed against a Manchester Township man after laboratory results allegedly showed he was under the influence of alcohol and controlled dangerous substances during a head-on crash that seriously injured multiple people in Toms River.
A Manchester Township man is facing additional criminal charges after authorities said toxicology results revealed he was impaired at the time of a serious head-on collision on Route 37 in Toms River.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Andrew Gajewski, 30, was charged June 16 with two additional counts of Assault by Auto — Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Driving Impaired — in connection with the May 18 crash.
Head-on crash left multiple victims injured
The collision occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. near Route 37 and Batchelor Street. Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to reports of a crash involving injuries and found a 2022 Ford F-150 and a 2021 GMC Acadia with damage consistent with a head-on collision.
According to prosecutors, Gajewski was driving the Ford and fled the scene on foot after the crash. The driver of the GMC was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune before being released to a rehabilitation facility.
A passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the Ford were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where they were treated and later released.
Authorities say driver fled and resisted arrest
Investigators said Gajewski was located in a wooded area near the crash scene and taken into custody after allegedly resisting arrest and assaulting a Toms River Police Department K-9.
“Officers at the scene observed Gajewski exhibiting signs of intoxication,” prosecutors said in a statement.
Gajewski was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained during his apprehension. Authorities obtained a court-authorized warrant for a blood draw as part of the investigation.
Toxicology results led to additional charges
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that Gajewski was allegedly traveling on the wrong side of the roadway when the collision occurred.
Investigators also found that he was allegedly speeding and driving recklessly before the crash. Prosecutors said the laboratory analysis of his blood later revealed that “at the time of the crash, Gajewski was under the influence of alcohol and other controlled dangerous substances and was unfit to operate a motor vehicle.”
As a result, authorities filed the additional assault by auto charges. Gajewski had previously been charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, three counts of Assault by Auto, Resisting Arrest, and Injuring an Animal Used by a Law Enforcement Agency, along with multiple motor vehicle violations.
On June 17, detectives arrested Gajewski without incident at his Manchester Township residence. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
“The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Key Points
• Andrew Gajewski, 30, of Manchester Township, was charged with two additional counts of Assault by Auto related to a May 18 crash in Toms River.
• Prosecutors said toxicology results showed he was under the influence of alcohol and controlled dangerous substances at the time of the collision.
• Authorities allege Gajewski was driving on the wrong side of Route 37, fled the scene, and later resisted arrest before being taken into custody.
