Jackson Man, Passengers High on Pot in Lakehurst Car Stop, Police Say

A Jackson man who was driving while high on drugs and two passengers who both had drugs were arrested and face a slew of charges following a car stop on Route 70 last week, Lakehurst Police said.

Officers Joseph DePasquale and Luke Lanno stopped Shammar Kerr, 23, after Kerr committed several violations, including failing to maintain his lane, near the intersection of Route 70 and Center Street around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Kerr was driving while high on marijuana, police said, and both his passengers—Michael K. Harris, 22, of Lakewood, and Christopher S. Romero, 24, of Howell—were also high.

Officers found marijuana, oxycodone and promethazine, and arrested all three men on multiple charges, police said.

All three were each charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Romero was hit with a charge of hindering apprehension after he gave a false name to officers, police said, in an attempt to hide the fact he was wanted on three warrants—two assault warrants from Lakewood and Howell and a contempt of court warrant from Seaside Heights—totaling $6,000.

Kerr was additionally charged with driving under the influence, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license, reckless driving, failing to maintain his lane and four other motor vehicle violations.

Both Harris and Romero were taken to the Ocean County Jail in default of $20,000 bail.

Assisting on the arrests was Lakewood Officer Matthew Kline, who served as a drug recognition expert, police said.