Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced today that Brian Kosanke, 39, of Lavallette was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Xanax Pills, Possession of Xanax Pills and Hindering Apprehension.
Kosanke was also charged with Driving While Intoxicated in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.
According to police, on October 19, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Lavallette Police were summoned to Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue for the report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle with serious injuries.
Officers discovered Thomas Castronovo, 80, of Warren, had been struck by a vehicle driven by Kosanke. Mr. Castronovo was administered lifesaving procedures from first responders and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lavallette Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Kosanke was traveling Northbound on Route 35 when he struck Mr. Castronovo as he was crossing at Guyer Avenue. Kosanke agreed to submit to a blood sample and was transported to the hospital for the same.
The results of the blood sample revealed that Kosanke was under the influence of Xanax, Cocaine, Fentanyl and Gabapentin when he struck Castronovo.
A warrant was issued for Kosanke’s arrest and he was apprehended yesterday, November 7, 2019. During this arrest, officers found a quantity of Xanax on his person packaged for distribution.
Detectives also determined through surveillance camera footage that prior to police arriving on October 19, Kosanke removed something from his vehicle.
Police say a further investigation revealed that Kosanke had taken an amount of Heroin from his vehicle and hid it on the side of the road, which he later retrieved after he was released from the hospital.
Kosanke is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail, pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer would like to thank the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lavallette Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their assistance in this investigation.