Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 20, 2024, Brian Huerta-Tochihuitl, 20, of Jackson, was charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Which Resulted in Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person, in connection with an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of June 16, 2024, in Lakewood Township.
On June 16, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Route 9 and First Street for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Responding Officers discovered that a white four door sedan was traveling northbound on Route 9 when it struck a male victim who was attempting to cross Route 9 in a marked crosswalk. The white sedan continued northbound on Route 9 and left the scene. As a result of the crash, the victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The victim is presently listed in critical, but stable condition.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit determined that the vehicle which struck the victim was a 2021 Kia K5. Further investigation identified Huerta-Tochihuitl as the individual who operated the subject Kia K5 at the time of the crash.
On June 20, 2024, Huerta-Tochihuitl surrendered himself to Lakewood Township Police Headquarters. Huerta-Tochihuitl was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending an appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
“I would like to thank the members of the community who came forward to assist law enforcement in this investigation,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Ocean County Department of Vehicle Services for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).