TOMS RIVER – A local man has pled guilty to charges stemming from a 2023 crash that injured four people, officials said.
Charles Sharkey, Jr., 35, of Jackson, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and Driving While Intoxicated in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred on March 23, 2023, in Toms River.
Additionally, Sharkey pled guilty to being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Firearm before Judge Vicari, in connection with an unrelated incident that occurred on March 12, 2023, in Jackson Township.
At the time of his sentencing on December 20, the State will be seeking a term of a term of 10 years in prison – subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act – as to the Aggravated Assault charge, and 10 years in prison – with a five year period of parole ineligibility – as to the weapon charge.
On March 23, 2023, at around 4 p.m., officers responded to the area of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash.
The initial investigation reported that a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500, operated by Sharkey, was traveling eastbound on Route 70 approaching the cross street of Massachusetts Avenue. Sharkey ran the red light at the intersections and grazed the rear of a 2016 Honda CRV, which had been travelling westbound on Route 70 and turning left onto Massachusetts Avenue.
Sharkey then hit a 2017 Subaru Impreza – also attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Massachusetts Avenue from Route 70 westbound. The Impreza contained a male adult driver and three juvenile passengers, officials said.
Due to the crash, the Impreza was pushed backward and rotated in a clockwise manner, while the Dodge Ram operated by Sharkey overturned and came to final rest on the driver-side. Sharkey’s vehicle then caught fire and sustained heavy fire damage.
In the process of the vehicle overturning, a 2021 Lexus RX 350 was grazed and sustained minor damage, officials said.
The adult driver of the Impreza and two of the juvenile passengers were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune Township for treatment of minor injuries and were subsequently released. The third juvenile passenger was also taken to JSUMC with serious injuries. The victim was later transported to a rehabilitation facility, and is currently at home recovering, officials said.
It was later revealed that Sharkey had been driving erratically and was using his cell phone just prior to the crash.
In addition, authorities learned that Sharkey had a suspended driver’s license at the time of the crash, as well as two active warrants for his arrest. It was also determined that the Dodge Ram was a rental vehicle – taken by Sharkey without the renter’s consent.
Sharkey was placed under arrest at the scene and was transported to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood for treatment of his injuries. While at the hospital, detectives obtained a warrant for a draw of Sharkey’s blood. He was thereafter transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since that date.
The results of Sharkey’s blood draw revealed that Sharkey was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash, officials said.
Nearly two weeks prior to the crash, on March 12, 2023, Jackson Police responded to the area of North County Line Road for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Officers found a driver slumped over and sleeping in the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Sharkey, who was under the influence of an intoxicant, officials said. Sharkey was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Officers searched Sharkey and found a .22 caliber handgun. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
