TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Beachwood man is facing vehicular homicide charges after toxicology results revealed he was impaired by drugs during a fatal crash that killed a passenger earlier this year, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Wednesday.
Anthony Krempel, 37, was charged on March 25 in connection with the January 20 crash that killed 34-year-old Emanuela Fuchs, also of Beachwood. Authorities say Krempel was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox at a high rate of speed on Grand Central Parkway in Berkeley Township when he lost control and struck a tree.
Key Points
- Anthony Krempel, 37, charged with vehicular homicide in a January 20 crash.
- Victim Emanuela Fuchs, 34, died after the vehicle struck a tree in Berkeley Township.
- Lab tests confirmed Krempel was under the influence of Fentanyl and Methadone.
Fuchs was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she was later pronounced dead. Responding officers noted signs of impairment in Krempel at the scene, prompting a court-authorized blood draw at Community Medical Center in Toms River.
On March 17, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received lab results confirming the presence of Fentanyl and Methadone in Krempel’s system at the time of the crash, leading prosecutors to conclude he was unfit to drive.
Krempel was initially issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and careless driving. Following the toxicology results, he was taken into custody at his home in Beachwood without incident by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office detectives and Berkeley Township Police.
He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
