By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on January 22, Michael O’Hare, Jr., 38, of Ocean Gate, was charged with Assault by Auto, Possession of Gabapentin Without a Valid Prescription, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lacey Township on January 22.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that on January 22, at approximately 7:50 a.m., officers from the Lacey Township Police Department responded to the area of South Street and Warren Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle crash.
A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Lacey Township Police Department revealed that an Acura TL - operated by O’Hare - was traveling eastbound on South Street when it crossed over the double yellow line in the roadway, striking a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was traveling westbound on South Street, OCPO officials said.
As a result of the crash, OCPO authorities say, the driver of the Jeep was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries.
According to Ocean County officials, responding Officers observed that O’Hare appeared to be intoxicated at the scene of the crash. Based upon those observations, Officers attempted to administer standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs) to O’Hare.
O’Hare was unable to successfully perform the FSTs; as such, he was charged with Driving Under the Influence and placed under arrest. A search incident to O’Hare’s arrest led to Officers recovering a quantity of methadone, Gabapentin pills for which he had no valid prescription, and drug paraphernalia, Ocean County officials stated.
Ocean County officials said that O’Hare was thereafter transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for evaluation and treatment. In furtherance of the investigation, a draw of O’Hare’s blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
The results of the blood draw remain pending, OCPO officials stated.
Ocean County officials say that O’Hare was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.