Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 16, 2026, Jared Beswick, 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, three counts of Possession of a High-Capacity Ammunition Magazine, and Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition, all arising out of a motor vehicle crash that that occurred in Lacey Township on September 13, 2026 – initially resulting in charges of Assault by Auto.
On September 13, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department responded to the area of mile marker 16.5 on Route 539 for a report of a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lacey Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that a Ford Explorer operated by Beswick was traveling erratically northbound on Route 539 when it entered the southbound lane of travel and collided head-on with a Toyota Rav4 traveling in the southbound lane. As a result of the crash, the driver of the Toyota Rav4 and a passenger in the Ford Explorer were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where they are listed in serious but stable condition.
Continuing investigation revealed that Beswick displayed outward signs of impairment. Responding Officers also viewed multiple open containers of alcohol and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes in Beswick’s vehicle. In furtherance of the investigation, Beswick was transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Beswick was initially charged with two counts of Assault by Auto and served with the charges by way of complaint-warrant at the hospital.
On September 16, 2026, Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on Beswick’s vehicle. As a result, Detectives seized two loaded handguns, three high-capacity ammunition magazines, and a quantity of hollow point ammunition. Beswick was charged accordingly and served by way of complaint-warrant at the hospital. Upon his release from the hospital, Beswick will be transported to the Ocean County Jail where he will be lodged pending a detention hearing.
The crash remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lacey 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).