TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Toms River man accused of driving more than 100 mph while under the influence of PCP and MDMA now faces aggravated manslaughter charges in a crash that killed a 76-year-old local resident earlier this year. An Ocean County grand jury on Thursday indicted 40-year-old Jamie Doyle in connection with the January 23 collision that claimed the life of Ronald Bucher at the intersection of Route 37 and Romana Lane.
The indictment adds some of the most serious charges available under New Jersey law after investigators concluded Doyle was allegedly speeding, driving with a suspended license and impaired by drugs when the fatal crash occurred.
Grand Jury Upgrades Charges in Fatal Collision
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced May 29 that Doyle was indicted on charges of Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended Driver’s License While Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Death.
The case stems from a crash reported at approximately 8:50 p.m. on Friday, January 23, when Toms River Township police responded to the Route 37 westbound intersection at Romana Lane.
Investigators found a white Nissan Maxima and a red Chevrolet Trax with extensive damage. Bucher, who was driving the Chevrolet, suffered catastrophic injuries.
Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Bucher died at the scene.
Investigation Revealed High Speed and Drug Use
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Doyle displayed erratic behavior, irregular speech and constricted pupils after the crash. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of a broken femur and possible head injuries.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit assisted in reconstructing the collision.
Investigators determined the Nissan was traveling westbound on Route 37 while Bucher’s Chevrolet was crossing the highway from Romana Lane with the right of way. The Nissan struck the driver’s side of the Chevrolet, causing severe intrusion into the vehicle’s passenger compartment.
Key Points
• Grand jury indicted Jamie Doyle on aggravated manslaughter and related charges.
• Investigators say Doyle had PCP and MDMA in his bloodstream after the crash.
• Authorities determined Doyle was traveling about 106 mph five seconds before impact.
Witnesses told investigators the Nissan had been operated erratically and had ignored multiple traffic signals before the collision.
A blood sample obtained through a court-authorized search warrant later revealed the presence of Phencyclidine (PCP) and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Doyle’s bloodstream, according to prosecutors.
Further analysis of crash data provided additional evidence that led authorities to increase the severity of the charges.
“Further investigation has revealed that Doyle was operating his vehicle at approximately 106 miles per hour (MPH) five seconds prior to crashing into Mr. Bucher’s vehicle, and subsequently impacted Mr. Bucher’s vehicle at a rate of approximately 65 MPH,” the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
The posted speed limit along that section of Route 37 westbound is 50 mph.
Suspended License Added to Case
Authorities said Doyle was driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash.
He was initially charged on January 23 with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended Driver’s License While Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Death, along with several motor vehicle violations, including Driving While Suspended, Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving and Failure to Observe a Traffic Control Device.
As investigators gathered additional evidence regarding speed and impairment, prosecutors upgraded the case to include aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges.
The upgraded charges significantly increase Doyle’s potential criminal exposure if convicted.
The indictment marks the latest development in a case that has remained under investigation for months following Bucher’s death.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke, who presented the case to the grand jury, as well as investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, the Toms River Township Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.
Doyle has remained in custody since January 30 after being released from the hospital following treatment for injuries sustained in the crash. The indictment allows the criminal case to move forward through the New Jersey court system as prosecutors pursue the charges stemming from Bucher’s death.