Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on September 11, 2025, Martine Taylor, Jr., 56, of Toms River, was charged with Aggravated Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on May 13, 2025, which resulted in the death of Christine Kroliczak, 52, of Matawan.
On May 13, 2025, at approximately 1:35 a.m., the Lakewood Township Police Department was contacted by the operator of a commercial tractor trailer who reported striking overhead utility wires while traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue near the Garden State Parkway overpass. Responding Officers located the utility disruption, and Jersey Central Power & Light was contacted to render the area safe. During the course of the investigation, Officers discovered a heavily damaged 2015 Nissan Altima located upside down in a drainage ditch adjacent to the eastbound lane of Cedar Bridge Avenue. Officers observed a male occupant, later identified as Taylor, entrapped within the vehicle. Taylor was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of his injuries. Officers also located a female victim, later identified as Ms. Kroliczak, entrapped in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Ms. Kroliczak was found to be unresponsive; life-saving efforts were attempted, but she was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.
An investigation by 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, revealed that the Altima had been traveling westbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue prior to the crash. The vehicle crossed the double yellow centerline and entered the eastbound lanes of travel. The vehicle then exited the roadway, became airborne, and cleared the guardrail – traveling an estimated 189 feet through the air. While airborne, the vehicle struck a utility pole, resulting in severe damage to the vehicle’s undercarriage. The vehicle briefly made contact with the ground before becoming airborne again. During the second airborne phase, the vehicle struck a tree and ultimately came to an uncontrolled final rest on its roof in the drainage ditch.
Investigation revealed that Taylor’s driving privileges were suspended at the time of the crash. Additionally, in furtherance of the investigation, a draw of Taylor’s blood was obtained at JSUMC pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
Taylor was initially charged with Causing Death While Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License and was also issued multiple motor vehicle summons. Taylor was discharged from the hospital and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Laboratory results of Taylor’s blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, revealed that Taylor’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .182 at the time his blood was drawn. In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where the operator’s BAC is .08 or greater. Additionally, further investigation determined that Taylor was traveling between 94 and 98 miles per hour just before the crash, with no evidence of braking. The posted speed limit on the roadway is 50 miles-per-hour.
As a consequence of the continued investigation – coupled with the results of Taylor’s blood draw at the hospital – the charges against Taylor have been upgraded to Aggravated Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide. On September 11, 2025, Taylor was taken into custody by Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Unit at a hotel in Toms River without incident. 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 Traffic Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined 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).