NJ Drunk Driver Who Killed Woman, Injured Another Sentenced

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man was sentenced to time in state prison in connection with a high-speed, head-on crash that killed one woman and seriously injured another in July 2022, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Mordechai Berkowitz, 24, of Lakewood, was sentenced to six years in state prison on Wednesday in connection with the crash that killed Juana Lopez-Hernandez, 44, of Mexico, and seriously injured Maria Flores-Moreno, 35, of Jackson.

Around 8:20 p.m. on July 22, 2022, prosecutors said Berkowitz was headed eastbound on South Lake Drive when his vehicle crossed over the double yellow line and collided head-on with a 2017 Toyota Rav4, driven by Flores-Moreno and occupied by front-seat passenger Lopez-Hernandez.

Investigators later determined that Berkowitz was speeding in excess of 90 MPH at the time of the crash, and a blood draw at Jersey Shore University Medical Center found that he had a blood alcohol concentration of .157 percent, Billhimer said.

A person is presumed to be intoxicated with a BAC of .08 percent or more under New Jersey law, according to prosecutors. The posted speed limit on South Lake Drive is 35 MPH.

Following the crash, Lopez-Hernandez was brought to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where prosecutors said she died of her injuries.

Flores-Moreno was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for her injuries, where she was treated and later released to a rehabilitation facility. She is currently home and still recuperating from her injuries, Billhimer said.

Berkowitz was also brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

On July 27, 2022, Berkowitz surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, with his attorney present, to be formally served with the charges, Billhimer said.

In April 2025, he pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto in the incident, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press.

Before accepting a plea deal, the report said Berkowitz was facing charges of aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault.

In addition to his sentence of six years in state prison, prosecutors said Judge Vicari also sentenced Berkowitz to a concurrent four-year sentence relative to his previously entered guilty plea to assault by auto.

Berkowitz’s sentence is subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA), Billhimer said, which means he will be required to serve at least 85% of his prison sentence before he can be considered for parole eligibility.

Previous Coverage

• Head-On Crash Kills 1 Woman, Seriously Injures 2nd In Lakewood
• Man Was Drunk, Driving 90 MPH In Fatal Lakewood Crash: Prosecutor
• Man Indicted In DWI Crash That Killed Woman, Injured 2nd Woman In Ocean County: Prosecutor