By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on April 23, Mordechai Berkowitz, 23, of Lakewood, pled guilty before the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., to Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on July 22, 2022, resulting in the death of Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, and causing serious bodily injury to Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that at the time of his sentencing on July 18, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of ten years New Jersey State Prison - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act as to the Vehicular Homicide charge, and four years NJSP as to the Assault by Auto charge.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
OCPO officials say that on July 22, 2022, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department 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 by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that a 2018 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Berkowitz, was headed eastbound on South Lake Drive when it crossed over the double yellow line and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, operated by Ms. Flores-Moreno and occupied by front-seat passenger, Ms. Lopez-Hernandez, according to Ocean County officials.
Ocean County authorities said Ms. Lopez-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she was pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries she sustained in the crash.
Ms. Flores-Moreno was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of the injuries she suffered in the crash; she was treated and later released to a rehabilitation facility, OCPO officials said. Ms. Flores-Moreno is currently home and still recuperating from her injuries.
According to Ocean County authorities, Berkowitz was also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of injuries he experienced in the crash. Blood samples taken from Berkowitz at the hospital revealed that his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the collision was .157 percent.
In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where the operator’s BAC is .08 or greater, OCPO officials stated.
Ocean County officials said further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad revealed that the vehicle operated by Berkowitz was traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
The posted speed limit on the roadway is 35 miles per hour, OCPO officials say. 
Ocean County authorities said that on July 27, 2022, Berkowitz surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, with his attorney present, to be formally served with the charges.
He was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, OCPO officials said.