Man Indicted In Fatal 2024 High-Speed Crash In Ocean County

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Lakewood man has been indicted in a 104 mph crash in March 2024 that killed an 82-year-old man in Lakewood, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Aryeh Bakst, 20, was indicted Wednesday on vehicular homicide in the March 3, 2024 crash that killed Jules Brotsky, 82, of Lakewood, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Police responded to a 9 a.m. call about the crash near West County Line Road and Laurelwood Avenue and the investigation showed a 2023 Tesla being driven by Bakst was traveling west on County Line Road when it hit a 2013 Toyota Corolla driven by Brotsky at the intersection of Laurelwood Avenue. Investigators determined Bakst had been driving at 104 mph at the time of the crash; the speed limit on West County Line Road is 45 mph, authorities said.

Authorities initially estimated Bakst was driving at 90 mph.

Brotsky and Bakst were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and Brotsky was admitted to the hospital and listed in critical condition, authorities said. He succumbed to his injuries on March 26, 2024, authorities said.

Bakst was treated for his injuries and subsequently released.

Bakst initially was issued motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, careless driving, and speeding, and vehicular homicide was added March 27, 2024, after Brotsky died, authorities said.

Bakst surrendered himself on April 3, 2024 and was taken to the Ocean County Jail, but later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, the prosecutor's office said.