Lakewood man indicted for fatal assault charges.
Mordechai Berkowitz, 21, from Lakewood, NJ, has been indicted on charges of Aggravated Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault by a Grand Jury. This indictment was in connection with a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on July 22, 2022, resulting in the death of Juana Lopez-Hernandez, aged 44, who was a citizen of Mexico, and causing severe bodily injuries to Maria Flores-Moreno, aged 35, who hails from Jackson, NJ. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer made the announcement on June 8, 2023.
At about 8:20 p.m. on July 22, 2022, police officers reported to the area of South Lake Drive and East Lake Park Drive in response to a call about a severe motor vehicle crash. An investigation carried out by the Vehicular Homicide Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with the Lakewood Township Police Department, discovered that Mordechai Berkowitz was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Impala that was moving eastbound on South Lake Drive. The investigation revealed that the car crossed over the double yellow line and collided with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, which was driven by Maria Flores-Moreno. Juana Lopez-Hernandez, the front-seat passenger, sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
Maria Flores-Moreno was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of the severe injuries suffered in the accident. She was treated at the medical facility and subsequently released to a rehabilitation center, where she is currently recuperating from her injuries. On the other hand, Juana Lopez-Hernandez was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she was confirmed dead.
Mordechai Berkowitz was also hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center due to injuries he sustained in the crash. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office revealed that blood samples taken from the accused at the hospital and further investigation disclosed that his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was at .157 percent during the collision. In New Jersey, the BAC of an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for alcohol consumption when the BAC is .08 or more less.
Further investigation undertaken by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit discovered that Mordechai Berkowitz’s vehicle was traveling in excess of 90 miles-per-hour during the time of the collision. The posted speed limit on the roadway where the crash occurred is 35 miles-per-hour.
On July 27, 2022, Mordechai Berkowitz surrendered himself, in the presence of his attorney, at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office to be officially charged. He was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released as a result of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledged and commended the collaborative efforts of the following agencies, the Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara, who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Ocean County Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, who all played crucial roles in the investigation.
It is important to note that all charges against Mordechai Berkowitz are accusations, and therefore, the press and general public are reminded that all defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
