Alcohol, Weed Found In Car After Lacey Head-On Crash: Prosecutor

LACEY, NJ — A Philadelphia man was charged with two counts of assault by auto following a head-on collision on Route 539 Sunday evening, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

At about 8:45 p.m. Sept. 13, Lacey police responded to the area of mile marker 16.5 on Route 539 for the report of a serious motor vehicle crash, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

A Ford Explorer, driven by 27-year-old Philadelphia resident Jared Beswick, was driving "erratically" north on the road when the SUV crossed over into the southbound lane, colliding head-on with a Toyota Rav4, Billhimer said.

The Toyota Rav4's driver and a passenger of the Explorer were hospitalized and are currently in serious but stable condition, Billhimer said.

Investigation revealed that Beswick showed outward signs of impairment, Billhimer said. Open containers of alcohol and pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes were seen in the Explorer, Billhimer said.

Beswick was hospitalized and had his blood drawn, Billhimer said; the results of the draw have not been released. He was charged and upon release from the hospital will be taken to Ocean County Jail, where he will be lodged pending a detention hearing, Billhimer said.

The crash remains under investigation, and additional charges may be forthcoming, Billhimer said.