LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Philadelphia man faces two counts of assault by auto after a head-on crash along Route 539 left two people seriously injured, Ocean County authorities announced Monday.
Jared Beswick, 27, was charged Sept. 14 in connection with the crash near mile marker 16.5 in Lacey Township.
Officers responded to the area at approximately 8:45 p.m. Sept. 13 following a report of a collision involving serious injuries. At this time, no mugshot is available and Beswick is not lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
SUV crossed into southbound lane
Investigators determined that Beswick was driving a Ford Explorer erratically while traveling north on Route 539, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Explorer entered the southbound lane and collided head-on with a Toyota RAV4, authorities said.
The Toyota’s driver and a passenger riding in Beswick’s Explorer were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Both remained in serious but stable condition when prosecutors announced the charges.
Authorities did not release their identities.
Alcohol containers and marijuana found
Police said Beswick displayed outward signs of impairment following the crash.
Responding officers also saw multiple open containers of alcohol and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes inside his vehicle, according to prosecutors.
Beswick was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, where investigators obtained a blood sample under a court-authorized warrant. Authorities did not release the results of the blood testing.
Under New Jersey law, assault by auto allegations can carry increased penalties when serious bodily injury occurs while a driver is under the influence.
Additional charges could be filed
Authorities served Beswick with the two assault-by-auto charges through a complaint warrant while he remained at the hospital.
Upon his release, he will be transported to the Ocean County Jail and held pending a detention hearing, prosecutors said.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lacey Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit investigated the crash.
The investigation remains active, and prosecutors said additional charges could be filed.
The charges are accusations. Beswick is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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