By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on December 18, Martine Taylor, Jr., 56, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charges of Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, and Causing Death While Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township on May 13, which resulted in the death of Christine Kroliczak, 52, of Matawan.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on May 13, at approximately 1:35 a.m., the Lakewood Township Police Department was contacted by the operator of a commercial tractor-trailer who reported striking overhead utility wires while traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue near the Garden State Parkway overpass.
Responding Officers located the utility disruption, and Jersey Central Power & Light was called in to render the area safe, OCPO officials say. During the course of the investigation, Officers discovered a heavily damaged 2015 Nissan Altima located upside down in a drainage ditch adjacent to the eastbound lane of Cedar Bridge Avenue.
Officers observed a male occupant, later identified as Taylor, entrapped within the vehicle. Taylor was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, according to Ocean County officials.
Ocean County authorities said officers also located a female victim, later identified as Ms. Kroliczak, entrapped in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Ms. Kroliczak was found to be unresponsive; life-saving efforts were attempted, but she was ultimately pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to Ocean County officials, an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that the Altima had been traveling westbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue prior to the crash. The vehicle crossed the double yellow centerline and entered the eastbound lanes of travel.
The vehicle then exited the roadway, became airborne, and cleared the guardrail - traveling an estimated 189 feet through the air. While airborne, the vehicle struck a utility pole, resulting in severe damage to the vehicle’s undercarriage, OCPO officials said. The vehicle briefly made contact with the ground before becoming airborne again.
During the second airborne phase, Ocean County officials said, the vehicle struck a tree and ultimately came to an uncontrolled final rest on its roof in the drainage ditch. Investigation revealed that Taylor’s driving privileges were suspended at the time of the crash.
Additionally, in furtherance of the investigation, a draw of Taylor’s blood was obtained at JSUMC pursuant to a court-authorized warrant, OCPO officials say. Taylor was initially charged with Causing Death While Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License and was also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.
According to Ocean County officials, Taylor was discharged from the hospital and transported to the Ocean County Jail. He was subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform. Laboratory results of Taylor’s blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, revealed that Taylor’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .182 at the time his blood was drawn.
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. Additionally, further investigation revealed that Taylor was traveling between 94 and 98 miles per hour just before the crash, with no evidence of braking, OCPO authorities say. 
The posted speed limit on the roadway is 50 miles per hour. As a consequence of the continued investigation – coupled with the results of Taylor’s blood draw - the charges against Taylor were upgraded to Aggravated Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide, OCPO officials said.
Ocean County officials stated that on September 11, Taylor was taken into custody by Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department Traffic Unit at a hotel in Toms River without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since that date.