Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on June 16, 2026, Andrew Gajewski, 30, of Manchester Township, was charged with two additional counts of Assault by Auto – specifically Causing Serious Bodily Injury While Driving Impaired – in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Toms River on May 18, 2026. On that date, Gajewski was initially charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury as well as related crimes and motor vehicle offenses.
On May 18, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 37 and Batchelor Street for a report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Responding Officers discovered a 2022 Ford F-150 and a 2021 GMC Acadia with damage consistent with a head-on collision. The driver of the Ford, later identified as Gajewski, fled the scene on foot. The driver of the Acadia was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and later released to a rehabilitation facility. A passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the Ford were both transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where they were treated and released.
Gajewski was taken into custody in a wooded area near the scene of the crash after physically resisting arrest and assaulting a Toms River Police Department K-9. Gajewski was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of injuries he sustained during his apprehension. Officers at the scene observed Gajewski exhibiting signs of intoxication; as such, in furtherance of the investigation, a draw of Gajewski’s blood was obtained pursuant to court-authorized warrant.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Gajewski was traveling on the wrong side of the roadway at the time of the collision. Further investigation revealed that Gajewski was speeding and driving recklessly shortly before the crash. As a result of the investigation, Gajewski was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, three counts of Assault by Auto, Resisting Arrest, and Injuring an Animal Used by a Law Enforcement Agency; he was likewise issued numerous motor vehicle summonses including Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Injury, and Failure to Report an Accident. Upon Gajewski’s release from the hospital, he was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received the laboratory results of the blood draw taken from Gajewski at the hospital. The results revealed that at the time of the crash, Gajewski was under the influence of alcohol and other controlled dangerous substances and was unfit to operate a motor vehicle. As a consequence, Gajewski was charged with the crimes referenced above. On June 17, 2026, Gajewski was taken into custody without incident at his residence by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Toms River Township Police Department. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative 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).