The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has announced a 20-year-old man is facing multiple charges in connection with a fatal crash that left one dead. They say he was twice the legal alcohol limit and traveling over 90 mph in the crash.

According to authorities, Mordechai Berkowitz is charged with aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, among other charges, in connection with the motor vehicle crash that occurred last Friday in Lakewood Township. He was also charged with the motor vehicle offenses of driving while intoxicated, among other charges.

Officers responded to the area of South Lake Drive and East Lake Park Drive for a report of a motor vehicle crash with serious injuries. Subsequent investigation determined a 2018 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Berkowitz, was headed eastbound on South Lake Drive when it crossed over the double yellow and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, operated by Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, and occupied by front-seat passenger, Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, of Mexico.

Flores-Moreno was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment, and is currently listed in stable condition. Lopez-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, where she was pronounced dead.

Berkowitz was also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash. The initial draw of his blood at the hospital revealed that Berkowitz had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .215 %. In New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where his/her BAC is .08 or greater.

Further investigation revealed the vehicle operated by Berkowitz was traveling in excess of 90 mph at the time of the crash. The posted speed limit on the roadway is 35 mph.

Berkowitz surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, with his attorney present, to be formally served with the aforementioned charges. He was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.