Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on December 1, 2025, Edwin Ramirez-Carranza, 21, of Lakewood, pled guilty to Eluding before the Honorable David M. Fritch, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Lakehurst on October 8, 2024. Additionally, Ramirez-Carranza pled guilty to Aggravated Assault in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on April 19, 2025. At the time of his sentencing on January 30, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Eluding charge, and five years NJSP – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act – as to the Aggravated Assault charge. The sentences are to run concurrently. At the time of his sentencing, Ramirez-Carranza – who was 20 years-old at the time he eluded police on October 8, 2024 – will also plead guilty to Underage Driving While Intoxicated.
On October 8, 2024, Officers from the Lakehurst Borough Police Department observed a three-car motor vehicle crash on Route 70. All three vehicles attempted to flee the scene. Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on a Chevrolet Silverado operated by Ramirez-Carranza. Ramirez-Carranza ignored the signals from the Officers to stop his vehicle and eluded the Officers. Ramirez-Carranza was ultimately forced to bring his vehicle to a stop in the flow of traffic when it became disabled. Officers encountered Ramirez-Carranza and observed him exhibiting signs of intoxication. As a result, Officers attempted to administer the standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs) to Ramirez-Carranza. Ramirez-Carranza was unable to successfully perform the FSTs, and subsequent breath testing revealed a Blood Alcohol Content above the legal limit for an underage driver; as such, he was additionally charged with Driving Under the Influence. Ramirez-Carranza was taken into custody, transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On April 19, 2025, at approximately 12:10 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Cedar Bridge Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries. Responding Officers observed a Honda Civic in the roadway and a Chevy Silverado in a drainage basin off of the roadway. Both vehicles were occupied solely by their respective drivers. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that the Chevy Silverado – operated by Ramirez-Carranza – was traveling northbound on New Hampshire Avenue when it disregarded a red traffic signal and struck the Honda Civic which was traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue. Continuing investigation revealed that the Honda Civic was being operated by an off-duty Lakewood Township Police Officer who had just ended his shift. The driver of the Honda Civic was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of serious injuries; he was ultimately released following treatment. Continuing investigation revealed that the Chevy Silverado was traveling at approximately 106 miles-per-hour just seconds before the crash.
Ramirez-Carranza was likewise transported to JSUMC for treatment of his injuries. Ramirez-Carranzo was charged with Aggravated Assault and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses related to the crash. On April 20, 2025, Ramirez-Carranza was released from JSUMC; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling both cases on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Borough of Lakehurst Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Ramirez-Carranza’s arrest, guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.