100 MPH Crash That Injured 4 Draws Aggravated Assault Charge In Ocean County: Prosecutor

JACKSON, NJ — A Middlesex County man has been charged with aggravated assault and assault by auto in connection with a high-speed crash that injured himself and three passengers in Jackson in January, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged on April 3 with two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of assault by auto, in connection with the crash that happened about 2:15 a.m. on Jan. 27 on North County Line Road, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Obrzut was driving a 2020 BMW west on North County Line Road when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve in the road and hit the curbed median, Billhimer said. As a result, he lost control and the vehicle rolled over through the intersection at Jackson Mills Road and came to a stop when it hit trees on the side of the road, he said.

His rear-seat passengers, Anthony Zito, 22, of Monroe Township, and Ryan Ludwig, 23, of Manalapan Township, were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. They were hospitalized initially but later released, Billhimer said. They are continuing to recover at home, he said.

Obrzut's front-seat passenger, Michael Russo, 21, of Monroe Township, was taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township for treatment of minor injuries.

Obrzut sustained minor injuries and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. While he was there, authorities obtained a search warrant and drew his blood for testing, Billhimer said.

Laboratory results of Obrzut’s blood draw, received by the prosecutor’s Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, showed Obrzut had an active THC (marijuana) level of 14 nanograms (ng) with a metabolite THC level of 100ng, which Billhimer said indicates Obrzut he had recently used marijuana at the time of the crash.

"Additionally, it is reasonably certain that Obrzut’s faculties were impaired due to the effects of marijuana intoxication, and that he could not have safely operated a motor vehicle," Billhimer said.

The investigation by the Vehicular Homicide Squad showed Obrzut's vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour just before the crash, Billhimer said. The posted speed limit on North County Line Road is 50 mph.

The investigation also showed it was foggy at the time, which reduced visibility at the time of the crash.

Obrzut was charged April 3 and arrested at his home, then taken to the Ocean County jail, but later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, the prosecutor's office said.