TOMS RIVER, NJ – A 40-year-old man has been charged after a fatal crash in Toms River Friday night that claimed the life of another driver, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Authorities said Jamie Doyle, of Toms River, was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended Driver’s License While Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing the Death of Another, following a violent collision at the intersection of Romana Lane and Route 37 westbound.
Responding officers arrived around 8:50 p.m. and found two heavily damaged vehicles — a white Nissan Maxima driven by Doyle and a red Chevrolet Trax operated by 76-year-old Ronald Bucher, also of Toms River. Emergency crews extricated Bucher from his vehicle and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to investigators, the crash occurred when Doyle, traveling westbound on Route 37, struck the Chevrolet as it crossed the intersection with the right of way. Witnesses told police the Nissan had been driven erratically and had run multiple traffic lights prior to the impact.
Police said Doyle displayed signs of intoxication, including erratic behavior and slurred speech, before being transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of a broken femur and possible head injuries. A blood draw was performed under a court-authorized warrant, with results pending.
Doyle has also been charged with multiple motor vehicle offenses, including Driving While Suspended, Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, and Failure to Observe a Traffic Control Device. He remains in custody at Community Medical Center under police supervision and will be transferred to the Ocean County Jail once medically cleared, pending a detention hearing.
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 are continuing the investigation, and officials said additional charges may be forthcoming.
Key Points: Toms River man charged in fatal Route 37 crash that killed 76-year-old driver – Toms River
- Jamie Doyle, 40, was charged after a crash on Route 37 killed 76-year-old Ronald Bucher of Toms River.
- Witnesses reported Doyle’s vehicle was speeding and disregarded several traffic signals before the collision.
- Doyle remains hospitalized under police custody and faces additional motor vehicle and criminal charges.