By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on December 3, Mordechai Berkowitz, 24, of Lakewood, was sentenced by the Honorable Dina M. Vicari, J.S.C., to six years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Vehicular Homicide 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.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that the sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), meaning that Berkowitz will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.
Additionally, Judge Vicari sentenced Berkowitz to four years in NJSP relative to his previously entered guilty plea to Assault by Auto in connection with the same motor vehicle crash, which caused serious bodily injuries to Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, OCPO officials say.
The sentences will run concurrently, OCPO authorities said. Berkowitz pled guilty to the charges before Judge Vicari on April 23, 2025.
According to Ocean County officials, 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, Ocean County officials stated.
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, OCPO officials said.
OCPO officials say that 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. Ms. Flores-Moreno is currently at home, still recuperating from her injuries.
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, according to Ocean County officials.
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, Ocean County authorities say.
According to Ocean County officials, 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, Ocean County officials say.
OCPO officials 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.