Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 25, 2025, Anthony Krempel, 37, of Beachwood, was charged with Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred on January 20, 2025, in Berkeley Township.
On January 20, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the area of Grand Central Parkway for a report of a single car motor vehicle crash. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, operated by Krempel, was traveling at a high rate of speed on Grand Central Parkway when it left the roadway and struck a tree. A passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Emanuela Fuchs, 34, of Beachwood, was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where she was pronounced deceased. First Responders at the scene detected that Krempel showed signs of impairment. In furtherance of the investigation, Krempel was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. At the time of the crash, Krempel was issued motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving and Careless Driving.
On March 17, 2025, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office received the laboratory results of the blood draw taken from Krempel at the hospital. The results revealed that at the time of the crash, Krempel was under the influence of Fentanyl and Methadone and was unfit to operate a motor vehicle. As a result, on March 25, 2025, Krempel was charged with Vehicular Homicide. On that date, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Berkeley Township Police took Krempel into custody at his residence in Beachwood without incident. 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, Berkeley Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts 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).