Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 19, 2025, Edwin Ramirez- Carranza, 20, of Lakewood was charged with Aggravated Assault in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on April 19, 2025.
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 his injuries, where he is listed in critical condition. It was also determined through investigation that the Chevy Silverado was traveling at approximately 106 miles per hour just seconds before the collision.
A subsequent search of Ramirez-Carranza’s vehicle yielded a quantity of Marijuana. Ramirez-Carranza was likewise transported to JSUMC for treatment of his injuries. In furtherance of the investigation, a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
Ramirez-Carranzo was charged with Aggravated Assault and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses, specifically, Operating an Unregistered Vehicle, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving, Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal, Speeding, Operating a Motor Vehicle After 11:00 p.m. With a Probationary Driver’s License, Using a Wireless Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Probationary Driver’s License, Failure to Have Required Decals on a License Plate While Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Probationary Driver’s License, and Having an Unsealed Container of Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle. On April 20, 2025, Ramirez-Carranza was released from JSUMC; 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, Lakewood 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).