LAKEWOOD – A 26-year-old will be serving five years in prison for leaving the scene of a crash where his passenger later died from his injuries.
Angel Garcia-Rodriguez, 26, of Lakewood, had previously pleaded guilty to Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in a Death in relation to the events of July 22, 2023. At around 2:30 a.m., a Honda Civic driven by Garcia-Rodriguez crashed into a utility pole on James Street.
Police said the driver had fled the scene of the crash and the passenger was found critically injured inside the car. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Garcia-Rodriguez was arrested at his home later that day and he has been in jail ever since.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa Mandara who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police, Toms River Township Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Garcia-Rodriguez’s guilty plea, and now his state prison sentence.
