LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man was sentenced to six years in state prison for a 2022 crash that killed one woman and seriously injured another.
Mordechai Berkowitz, 24, of Lakewood, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Dina M. Vicari for vehicular homicide in connection with the July 22, 2022, crash on South Lake Drive.
The sentence will be subject to the No Early Release Act, requiring Berkowitz to serve at least 85 percent of his prison term before parole eligibility.
Berkowitz also received a concurrent four-year sentence for assault by auto for seriously injuring Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson, in the same crash.
He pleaded guilty to both charges on April 23.
Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the area of South Lake Drive and East Lake Park Drive at approximately 8:20 p.m. on July 22, 2022, for a report of a crash with serious injuries.
Investigators determined that a 2018 Chevrolet Impala operated by Berkowitz was traveling eastbound on South Lake Drive when it crossed the double yellow line and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4.
The Toyota was operated by Flores-Moreno and occupied by front-seat passenger Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, a citizen of Mexico.
Lopez-Hernandez was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she was pronounced dead.
Flores-Moreno was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment and later released to a rehabilitation facility.
She is currently home recuperating from her injuries.
Berkowitz was also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment.
Blood samples taken from Berkowitz at the hospital revealed his blood alcohol concentration at the time of the collision was .157 percent.
The legal limit in New Jersey is .08 percent.
Investigators determined Berkowitz was traveling in excess of 90 mph at the time of the crash.
The posted speed limit on the roadway is 35 mph.
Berkowitz surrendered to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on July 27, 2022, with his attorney present.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released under New Jersey Bail Reform.
