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Family of man killed by alleged drunk driver in Toms River calls for stricter penalties

Allen Adams, 50, was fatally struck in July while working on a road in Toms River.

Matt Trapani

Aug 15, 2025, 5:36 PM

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The family of a construction worker killed by an alleged drunk driver is calling for change.

Allen Adams, 50, was fatally struck in July while working on a road in Toms River. His family has now started a petition to push the state Legislature to enact stricter penalties for repeat impaired driving offenders – especially in work zones.

"We've had tremendous support from the community. Within 2 1/2 days, we've had over 1,000 signatures on [the petition]…[state] Sen. Latham Tiver has also reached out to our family to push stricter penalties for these individuals,” says Melanie Steinmetz, Adams’ sister-in-law.

Douglas Smith, 51, was charged with driving while intoxicated in the crash that killed Adams. Additional charges could be filed.

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