Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 31, 2026, Kailyn Gorga, 20, of Toms River, pled guilty before the Honorable David M. Fritch, J.S.C., to Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of April 14, 2024, in Manchester Township resulting in the death of Catalina Reinoso, 18, of Brick Township. Additionally, Gorga pled guilty to Assault by Auto in connection with the same incident. At the time of her sentencing on October 23, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of seven years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP)- subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act- as to the Vehicular Homicide charge and four years NJSP as to the Assault by Auto charge. The sentences would run concurrently.
On April 14, 2024, at approximately 2:50 a.m., the Manchester Township Police responded to the area of Lacey Road in Whiting for a report of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that a 2008 Mazda 3 being operated by Gorga, and containing front seat passenger Tyler Beaulieu, 18, of Beachwood and rear seat passengers John Winkowski, 19, of Brick Township, Cameron Sparmo, 19, of Toms River, Peter Myslinski, 19, of Toms River, and Ms. Reinoso, was traveling south on Lacey Road when it struck a curbed median. Gorga over corrected her steering and the vehicle overturned. As a result of the crash, Ms. Reinoso was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of her injuries. The other occupants of the vehicle were likewise transported to JSUMC, where they were treated and released. Gorga was thereafter transported to JSUMC, where a draw of her blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
On April 19, 2024, Ms. Reinoso succumbed to her injuries sustained in the crash.
Laboratory results of an initial blood draw taken from Gorga at the hospital revealed that she had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .099 %. In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where his/her BAC is .08 or greater. The laboratory results further revealed that Gorga had an Active THC (marijuana) level of 4 nanograms (ng) with a Metabolite THC level of 47 ng.
On May 31, 2024, Gorga surrendered herself to Manchester Township Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.