Driver Was High On Opioids In Fatal Berkeley Crash: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — A Beachwood driver was charged with vehicular homicide after it was learned he was high on fentanyl and methadone in a January crash that killed his passenger, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

That charge is in addition to the driving while intoxicated, careless driving and reckless driving summonses Anthony Krempel, 37, was issued following the Jan. 20, 2025 crash, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

At about 12 p.m. that day, Krempel was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox and speeding on Grand Central Parkway when the car left the road and struck a tree, Billhimer said.

The car's passenger, 34-year-old Emmanuela Fuchs, also of Beachwood, was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries, Billhimer said.

First responders noticed that Krempel seemed to be under the influence, and when he was taken to Community Medical Center, a blood draw was taken, Billhimer said.

The results of that blood draw came back on March 17, which revealed that Krempel was under the influence of fentanyl and methadone at the time of the crash, and was unfit to be driving, Billhimer said.

Court records show that Krempel has a lengthy history of drug and traffic offenses dating back to 2005.

Krempel was charged with vehicular homicide on March 25, and was taken into custody at his Beachwood home on that date. He now sits in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.