Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 21, 2024, Charles Sharkey, Jr., 35, of Jackson Township, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and Driving While Intoxicated before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred on March 23, 2023, in Toms River. Additionally Sharkey pled guilty to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm before Judge Vicari, in connection with an unrelated incident that occurred on March 12, 2023, in Jackson Township. At the time of his sentencing on December 20, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act – as to the Aggravated Assault charge, and 10 years NJSP – with a five year period of parole ineligibility – as to the weapon charge.
On Thursday, March 23, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Police Department responded to the area of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. Initial investigation by responding officers revealed that a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Sharkey, was traveling eastbound on Route 70 approaching the cross street of Massachusetts Avenue. Sharkey failed to stop at the red light at the intersection, and grazed the rear of a 2016 Honda CRV which had been travelling westbound on Route 70 and turning left onto Massachusetts Avenue. Sharkey then struck a 2017 Subaru Impreza – also attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Massachusetts Avenue from Route 70 westbound – which contained a male adult driver and three juvenile passengers. As a result, the Impreza was pushed backward and rotated in a clockwise manner. The Dodge Ram operated by Sharkey overturned and came to final rest on the driver-side; the vehicle caught fire and sustained heavy fire damage. In the process of the vehicle overturning, a 2021 Lexus RX 350 was grazed and sustained minor damage.
As a consequence of the crash, the adult driver of the Impreza and two of the juvenile passengers were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune Township for treatment of minor injuries; they were subsequently released. The third juvenile passenger was also taken to JSUMC with serious injuries. The victim was later transported to a rehabilitation facility, and is currently at home recovering.
Further investigation revealed that Sharkey had been driving erratically and was utilizing a cellular device just prior to the crash. Additionally, it was learned that Sharkey had a suspended driver’s license at the time of the crash, as well as two active warrants for his arrest. It was also determined that the Dodge Ram was a rental vehicle – taken by Sharkey without the renter’s consent. Sharkey was placed under arrest at the scene. He was transported to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood for treatment of his injuries. While at the hospital, Detectives obtained a warrant for a draw of Sharkey’s blood. Sharkey was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date. Laboratory results of Sharkey’s blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, revealed that Sharkey was under the influence of Methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
On March 12, 2023 – 11 days prior to the aforementioned crash – Jackson Township Police responded to the area of North County Line Road for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Responding Officers found a male driver slumped over and sleeping in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle was Sharkey and that he was under the influence of an intoxicant. Sharkey was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. As a result of a search incident to his arrest, Sharkey was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber handgun. Sharkey 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 Jamie Schron who is handling the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective effort in connection with these investigations leading to Sharkey’s guilty pleas, and soon his lengthy state prison sentence.