Middlesex County Man Drove High, Caused 100 MPH Crash: Prosecutor

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A young man from Middlesex County is now charged with aggravated assault and assault by auto after police say he caused a 100-mile-per-hour crash in January, while under the influence of marijuana.

He and three passengers were injured in the crash, which occurred Jan. 27 in Jackson Township. The driver, Nicholas Obrzut, 21, of Monroe Township, was charged on April 3 with two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of assault by auto.

The crash happened at 2:15 a.m. Jan. 27 on North County Line Road in Jackson, said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

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. As a result, he lost control of the BMW: The car rolled over at the intersection with Jackson Mills Road and came to a stop when it hit trees on the side of the road.

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. Their injuries were serious and they are continuing to recover at home, said the prosecutor.

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

Obrzut also 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. Laboratory results of his blood showed Obrzut had an active THC (marijuana) level of 14 nanograms (ng) with a metabolite THC level of 100ng.

Prosecutor Billhimer said that indicates Obrzut he had recently used marijuana at the time of the high-speed 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 that same day at his home in Monroe Twp. He was then taken to the Ocean County jail, but later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform, the prosecutor's office said. Due to bail reform, accused are only held in jail pending bail for the most serious of crimes, such as murder, death by auto or sex assault.