El primer fiscal adjunto del condado de Ocean, Michael T.. Nolan, jr.. anunció que en noviembre 18, 2021, Brian Kosanke, 41, of Lavallette, pled guilty to Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a, ante el Honorable Michael T.. collins, J.S.C., relative to the death of Thomas Castronovo, 80, of Warren, New Jersey, en octubre 19, 2019 in Lavallette. Kosanke also pled guilty to Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1), y Conducir en estado de ebriedad en violación de N.J.S.A. 39:4-50. En el momento de su sentencia en enero 21, 2022, el Estado buscará una pena de ocho años en la Prisión Estatal de Nueva Jersey (NJSP), sujeto a los términos de la Ley de No Salida Temprana, NJSA. 2C:43-7.2, with regard to the Vehicular Homicide offense, and eighteen months NJSP as to the Hindering charge. Las oraciones deben ejecutarse simultáneamente..
En octubre 19, 2019, aproximadamente a 6:30 pm., Lavallette Police were summoned to Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue for a report of a pedestrian with serious injuries having been struck by a motor vehicle. Officers discovered that Mr. Castronovo had been struck by a vehicle operated by Kosanke. Lifesaving measures were administered to Mr. Castronovo by first responders at the scene; he was thereafter transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, donde finalmente sucumbió a sus heridas.
An investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Departamento de policía de Lavallette, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, revealed that Kosanke was traveling northbound on Route 35 when he struck Mr. Castronovo as he was crossing at Guyer Avenue. Kosanke agreed to submit to a blood sample and was transported to the hospital for same. The results of the blood sample revealed that Kosanke was under the influence of Xanax, Cocaína, Fentanyl and Gabapentin when he struck Mr. Castronovo. A warrant was issued for Kosanke’s arrest, and he was apprehended on November 7, 2019. Kosanke has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since the date of his arrest. Over the State’s objection, the Court released Kosanke from the Ocean County Jail on home detention following the entry of his guilty pleas.
First Assistant Prosecutor Nolan commends the efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Patrick Sheehan and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron who are handling the case on behalf of the State, así como la Unidad de Homicidios Vehiculares de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía de Lavallette, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, for their cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Kosanke’s arrest, declaraciones de culpabilidad, y pronto su sentencia de prisión estatal.