By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on December 18, William Andujar, 52, of Whiting, pled guilty to Aggravated Assault and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on November 2, 2020.
Officials say at the time of his sentencing on February 23, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison - subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said on November 2, 2020, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Berkeley Township Police responded to a report of a crash involving two motor vehicles in the area of West Pinewald Keswick Road.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Berkeley Township Police Department revealed that Andujar, who was traveling westbound in a 2010 Honda CRV, crashed into a 2003 Hyundai Elantra operated by Susan Ewing, 44, of South Toms River, from behind, officials said.
Officials stated that the impact forced both vehicles off the roadway into a wooded area.
The victim, Ms. Ewing, officials say, sustained serious bodily injuries as a consequence of Andujar crashing into her vehicle and was flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of those injuries.
Authorities say Ms. Ewing was subsequently discharged and is still recovering from those injuries.
According to officials, Andujar was likewise transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center following the crash, and a search warrant was obtained for a draw of his blood.
Laboratory results from the blood draw - received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office on November 23, 2020 - indicated that Andujar had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .18 percent at the time his blood was drawn, officials said.
Officials say, 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 his/her BAC is .08 or greater.
The laboratory results also revealed a significant quantity of Methadone in Andujar’s system, according to officials.
Authorities said on November 24, 2020, Andujar was arrested by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and South Toms River Police Department and charged with Assault by Automobile.
The additional charge of Aggravated Assault was filed on December 8, 2020, as a result of further developments in the investigation, officials said.
Officials say Andujar has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest on November 24, 2020.