Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 22, 2022, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the area of South Lake Drive and East Lake Park Drive for a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Lakewood Township Police Department determined that a 2018 Chevrolet Impala operated by Mordechai Berkowitz, 20, of Lakewood, was headed eastbound on South Lake Drive when he crossed over the double yellow and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, operated by Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, and occupied by front-seat passenger, Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico.
Mr. Berkowitz was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released. Ms. Flores-Moreno was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune and is presently listed in stable condition. Ms. Lopez-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood where she was pronounced deceased.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Lakewood Township Police Department, Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.