Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 18, 2025, Alejandro Huerta-Arias, 24, of Toms River, was found guilty of Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on March 9, 2022, resulting in the death of Mark Mandel, 32, of Lakewood. After a nearly two-week trial before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., the jury concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Huerta-Arias recklessly operated a motor vehicle which caused the death of Mr. Mandel. Huerta-Arias is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Vicari on May 16, 2025, at which time he faces ten years New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the intersection of Madison Avenue and Courtney Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash resulting in a fatality. Initial investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit revealed that Huerta-Arias was traveling northbound on Madison Avenue in a 2012 Infinity G35 when he struck a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Mr. Mandel, who was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Courtney Road. The impact of the crash propelled Mr. Mandel’s vehicle into a traffic signal. Mr. Mandel was pronounced deceased at the scene. Huerta-Arias was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of a fractured leg.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit revealed that the vehicle operated by Huerta-Arias was traveling at an average speed of 93 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash – more than double the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit posted on the roadway. Huerta-Arias was charged with Vehicular Homicide on June 7, 2022, and he surrendered himself at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters on that date. Huerta-Arias was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer appreciates the diligence and dedication of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who ably and skillfully tried the case on behalf of the State. The Prosecutor likewise extends his gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in this investigation resulting in this guilty verdict.