Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced on June 20, 2024, that Brian Huerta-Tochihuitl, 20, of Jackson, has been charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Which Resulted in Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person. This charge stems from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of June 16, 2024, in Lakewood Township.
According to the investigation, on June 16, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Route 9 and First Street. The investigation revealed that a white four-door sedan, later identified as a 2021 Kia K5, was traveling northbound on Route 9 when it struck a male victim attempting to cross Route 9 in a marked crosswalk. The sedan continued northbound and left the scene.
The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries and is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
A thorough investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit identified Huerta-Tochihuitl as the operator of the Kia K5 at the time of the crash.
Huerta-Tochihuitl surrendered himself to Lakewood Township Police Headquarters on June 20, 2024, and is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending an appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.