Douglas Smith previously pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of Allen Adams, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
On Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 1 a.m., Toms River police responded to Lakewood Road and Raymond Avenue and found Adams lying in the roadway with serious injuries, Billhimer said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, Billhimer said.
Adams was working in a construction zone, with machinery equipped with flashing amber warning lights, when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Smith, Billhimer said. Smith was originally charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving and was hospitalized, Billhimer said.
Smith's Blood Alcohol Concentration was .151 at the time his blood was drawn and he had cocaine, fentanyl and methadone in his system, Billhimer said.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Malek and Thorn provided false information to law enforcement regarding Smith’s whereabouts, Billhimer said, leading to their arrest.
Court records show Smith has 11 pages of prior offenses on the New Jersey Courts website. Recent charges include hindering by giving false information in May 2025 and possession of drug paraphernalia in March 2025.
Past charges include leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, failure to report an accident, multiple counts of driving after license suspension or revocation, operating a motor vehicle during suspension, criminal mischief, multiple hindering charges, and simple assault. He also received two DUIs in one month,.
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