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Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office

Jersey Shore Domestic Abuser Who Contacted Victim 100+ Times Gets Elevated Sentence: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Domestic Abuser Who Contacted Victim 100+ Times Gets Elevated Sentence: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Domestic Abuser Who Contacted Victim 100+ Times Gets Elevated Sentence: Prosecutor A Long Branch man will spend up to a decade in prison for repeatedly stalking and harassing a woman he assaulted, authorities said. Brett Roach Sr., 50, was sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in state prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Eatontown police responded to a domestic dispute at a home on Stony Hill Road on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Officers learned a verbal argument became physical and Roach left when police were called. A woman was granted a temporary restraining order and Roach was arrested when he re…
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire A Monmouth County school community was rallying to support a family whose child was severely injured in an apartment fire, officials said. A Wayside Elementary School student was in stable condition at a hospital, Township of Ocean School District superintendent Kelly Weldon said in a letter to families on Monday, Oct. 28. The child was injured in a two-alarm fire at the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartment complex. Weldon said the district has counselors in its schools to support students. "Please join me in keeping this family and all Ocean families impacted by this fire clos…
Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze
Child Hospitalized After Being Saved By Firefighter In Monmouth County Apartment Blaze A child was hospitalized with injuries suffered in a two-alarm fire that ripped through a Monmouth County apartment complex Saturday, Oct. 26, authorities said. Firefighters were called to the 1400 block of Rustic Drive in Middlebrook, for a report of a fire inside one of the building’s apartments around 2:15 p.m., a spokesperson for the county prosecutor's office said. Responders discovered a fully engulfed apartment, and the child trapped inside. The child was rescued by a member of the Wanamassa Fire Department and rushed to a hospital. The cause of the fire is currently under investig…
Police Seeking Witnesses In Deadly Route 36 Pedestrian Crash Police Seeking Witnesses In Deadly Route 36 Pedestrian Crash
Police Seeking Witnesses In Deadly Route 36 Pedestrian Crash Police are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen a 60-year-old man just before he was struck and killed along Route 36 last week. Dennis Bannon, of Leonardo, was found lying in the roadway after being struck by a vehicle near Navy Weapons Station Earle around 8:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in Middletown, Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey said. Bannon had been walking on the roadway prior to the crash, Bailey said. The driver was cooperative with police during the investigation. Bannon was treated and taken by Port Monmouth First Aid Squad to Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical …
Jersey Shore Couple Failed To Report $4.5 Million In Income: Prosecutor Jersey Shore Couple Failed To Report $4.5 Million In Income: Prosecutor
Jersey Shore Couple Failed To Report $4.5 Million In Income: Prosecutor A Jersey Shore couple was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Oct. 15, with failing to report nearly $4.5 million in income over five years, authorities said. An analysis of Eli and Lauren Levy's personal and business banking records revealed that the 43-year-old Manalapan residents intentionally omitted taxable income from their jointly filed tax returns from 2018 through 2022, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. They did so despite their companies, Supreme Cleaning Services, LLC and Nation Wide Shippers, LLC, collecting a total of approximately $4.48 million in revenue ove…
Jersey Shore Plumber Admits To Taking Upskirt Videos Of 27 Girls, Women: Prosecutors Jersey Shore Plumber Admits To Taking Upskirt Videos Of 27 Girls, Women: Prosecutors
Jersey Shore Plumber Admits To Taking Upskirt Videos Of 27 Girls, Women: Prosecutors A Red Bank man admitted to recording upskirt videos of more than two dozen women and girls, including some in their homes, authorities said. Christopher Cox, 35, pleaded guilty on Friday, Oct. 4 to second-degree eluding police, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and three counts of third-degree invasion of privacy. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the guilty plea in a news release on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Investigators said Cox entered the ShopRite supermarket in Shrewsbury just before 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, and began follow…
Mom With 'Bright Aura', UK Band's No. 1 Fan Dies After Suspected Jersey Shore Hit-And-Run Mom With 'Bright Aura', UK Band's No. 1 Fan Dies After Suspected Jersey Shore Hit-And-Run
Mom With 'Bright Aura', UK Band's No. 1 Fan Dies After Suspected Jersey Shore Hit-And-Run An Aberdeen woman has died more than three weeks after she was hospitalized in a suspected hit-and-run crash, authorities said. Judith Fox-Hernandez, 58, died from her injuries, the Aberdeen Township Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday, Oct. 2. She was hit near the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Second Street at around 7:24 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Officers found Fox-Hernandez in the road and she was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She was pronounced dead at the Neptune hospital on Sunday, Sept. 29. A GoFundMe page said Fox-He…
Slain NJ Taxi Driver's Accused Killer Captured, Prosecutor Says Slain NJ Taxi Driver's Accused Killer Captured, Prosecutor Says
Slain NJ Taxi Driver's Accused Killer Captured, Prosecutor Says The man accused of gunning down a 42-year-old taxi driver last weekend in Monmouth County was arrested in Brooklyn, NY, authorities announced Friday, Sept. 20. Gaetano S. Scannavino, 25, of Brooklyn, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree carjacking, and two second-degree weapons offenses in connection with the Saturday, Sept. 14 death of Anthony Hill, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. As previously reported by Daily Voice, Hazlet police responded to the parking lot of 270 Route 36, a local motel, where they found Hill, of Eatontown, dead near a dump…
Central Jersey Taxi Driver Shot Dead Was Loving Dad, 'Friendly Face' Behind Wheel: Fundraiser Central Jersey Taxi Driver Shot Dead Was Loving Dad, 'Friendly Face' Behind Wheel: Fundraiser
Central Jersey Taxi Driver Shot Dead Was Loving Dad, 'Friendly Face' Behind Wheel: Fundraiser The family of an Eatontown taxi driver was rallying for support after he was found dead outside a Hazlet motel, according to a fundraising campaign. The body of 42-year-old Anthony Hill was discovered in the parking lot of Holly Hill Motel on Saturday, Sept. 14. Police found Hill with several gunshot wounds on the ground near a dumpster at around 7:18 a.m.  A GoFundMe page created in Hill's memory raised more than $950 from at least 24 donations as of Friday, Sept. 20. "Ant was a devoted husband, father, and friend, known for his kind heart and dedication to his fa…
North Jersey Man Arranged For Sex With Undercover Cop Posing As Boy, Prosecutors Say North Jersey Man Arranged For Sex With Undercover Cop Posing As Boy, Prosecutors Say
North Jersey Man Arranged For Sex With Undercover Cop Posing As Boy, Prosecutors Say A Bloomfield man was accused of trying to have sex with a Monmouth County investigator posing online as a teen boy, authorities said. Jonar Arenas, 48, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 18, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release. He was charged with second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault of a minor, and third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child. Investigators said Arenas contacted an undercover officer through an unnamed social media app in August. After chatting on the app and "other forms of communication," Arenas …
Central Jersey Man Convicted Of Sexually, Physically Abusing Girl For 6+ Years: Prosecutors Central Jersey Man Convicted Of Sexually, Physically Abusing Girl For 6+ Years: Prosecutors
Central Jersey Man Convicted Of Sexually, Physically Abusing Girl For 6+ Years: Prosecutors A Marlboro Township man was convicted of sexually and physically abusing a girl for more than six years, authorities said. A jury found 51-year-old Andrey Penkin guilty of second-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, as well as two counts each of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the conviction in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Investigators said Penkin started sexually abusing the girl in 2016 when he lived in Sayreville. The abuse continued when Penkin moved …
E-Bike Rider, 74, Killed Crossing Road On Central Jersey Path Identified E-Bike Rider, 74, Killed Crossing Road On Central Jersey Path Identified
E-Bike Rider, 74, Killed Crossing Road On Central Jersey Path Identified Authorities have identified the Marlboro Township man who was killed while riding an electronic bicycle. Guanglie Zhang, 74, died after the Monday, Sept. 9 crash, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Marlboro police responded to School Road East near Buckley Road at around 9:43 a.m. Investigators said Zhang was crossing School Road East from the Henry Hudson Trail on a Class 1 e-bike when the collision happened. He was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and pronounced dead on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The cause…
Taxi Driver's Body Found Near Dumpster In Central Jersey Motel Parking Lot: Prosecutors Taxi Driver's Body Found Near Dumpster In Central Jersey Motel Parking Lot: Prosecutors
Taxi Driver's Body Found Near Dumpster In Central Jersey Motel Parking Lot: Prosecutors A taxi driver from Eatontown was found shot dead outside a Hazlet motel, authorities said. Anthony Hill, 42, was found dead on Saturday, Sept. 14, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Officers responded to an emergency medical call in the parking lot of Holly Hill Motel on Route 36 at around 7:18 a.m. Police found Hill with several gunshot wounds on the ground near a dumpster. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is helping the Hazlet Police Department in the ongoing investigation. …
Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Jersey Shore Coach Who Sexually Abused Three Teen Gymnasts Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Monmouth County gymnastics was indicted after being accused of sexually abusing three teenage gymnasts, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 56-year-old Sasha Raught of Manchester Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 16. He was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and three counts of second-degree sexual assault in June 2023. Investigators said the first two teens were sexually assaulted when Raught coached at Shrewsbury Gymnastics in the early to mid-1990s. The third teen was abused in 2008 when R…
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors
Toms River School's Music Teacher Shared, Received Child Porn: Prosecutors A Toms River music teacher was accused of sharing child pornography online, authorities said. Christopher DeCesare, 31, of Matawan, was charged with second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced his arrest in a news release on Friday, Sept. 13. Investigators said DeCesare was distributing child porn to other users through social media and received it on a personal email account. The investigation started in July after a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. DeCesare is …
E-Bike Rider Killed On Path While Crossing Central Jersey Road, Investigators Say E-Bike Rider Killed On Path While Crossing Central Jersey Road, Investigators Say
E-Bike Rider Killed On Path While Crossing Central Jersey Road, Investigators Say A man riding an electronic bicycle was killed while crossing a road in Marlboro, authorities said. The 74-year-old man died after the crash, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Sept. 12. Marlboro police responded to School Road East near Buckley Road at around 9:43 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9. Investigators said the man was crossing School Road East from the Henry Hudson Trail on a Class 1 e-bike when the collision happened. He was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and pronounced dead on Tuesday, Sept.…
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals
Teen Wanted In Fatal NJ Transit Station Shooting Caught In Poconos: US Marshals A New Jersey fugitive wanted in a deadly train station shooting and a home invasion was arrested in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said. U.S. Marshals took 19-year-old Damian Bass into custody, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Sept. 6. Bass' last known address was in Fanwood. Bass was charged with first-degree murder and two weapons offenses. He was accused of shooting and killing 43-year-old James Hailey of Newark. Marshals from Brooklyn, NY, and Scranton captured Bass in Chestnuthill Township, PA, on Thursday, Sept. 5. "We s…
Central Jersey Woman, 81, Killed As Passenger In Two-Vehicle Crash Central Jersey Woman, 81, Killed As Passenger In Two-Vehicle Crash
Central Jersey Woman, 81, Killed As Passenger In Two-Vehicle Crash A Monroe Township woman was killed in a crash in Freehold, authorities said. Gloria Tucker, 81, died in the crash on Thursday, Aug. 29, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said. Freehold Township police responded to the wreck on Wemrock Road near Route 33 Business at around 2:24 p.m. Investigators said Tucker was a passenger in the two-vehicle crash. She was survived by her husband, their two sons, and four grandchildren, according to her obituary from DeMarco Funeral Home. No charges or summonses have been issued as of Tuesday, Sept. 3. The Monmouth County Serious Coll…
Man Killed Former HS Soccer Player In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run, Prosecutors Say Man Killed Former HS Soccer Player In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run, Prosecutors Say
Man Killed Former HS Soccer Player In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run, Prosecutors Say A Red Bank man was accused of killing a pedestrian and leaving the scene of a crash in Shrewsbury, authorities said. Jose Rodriguez-Jimenez, 40, was charged with second-degree knowingly leaving the scene of an accident under certain circumstances, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Friday, Aug. 23. The charge came after 23-year-old Mariano Codallos-Tepepa of Brick Township died in a crash on Monday, Aug. 5. Shrewsbury police responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive male lying in the right northbound lane of Shrewsbury Avenue just after 2:45 a.m. Codal…
Teen Indicted In Deadly Triple Shooting Of 21-Year-Old In Asbury Park, Prosecutors Say Teen Indicted In Deadly Triple Shooting Of 21-Year-Old In Asbury Park, Prosecutors Say
Teen Indicted In Deadly Triple Shooting Of 21-Year-Old In Asbury Park, Prosecutors Say A Long Branch teen has been indicted after he was accused of killing a man in a triple shooting in Asbury Park more than a year ago, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 19-year-old Michael Sally for first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, and gang criminality, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree receiving stolen property. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the indictment in a news release on Tu…
NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says
NJ Man Chatting With Undercover Agent Posing As Teen Found With Child Porn, Prosecutor Says A 46-year-old man chatting with an undercover agent posing as a teen girl was found with child pornography during a search of his Jersey Shore home, authorities said. Between May and August 2024, Christian Kohl, 46, of Brick Township, chatted with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on the Kik messaging app, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. Kohl, who identified as a 38-year-old man, sent multiple photos and videos of himself to the "girl," despite knowing that "she" was only 14 years old, on multiple occasions, Billhimer's office said. Kohl's case wa…
Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash
Driver Wanted After Pedestrian Killed In Central Jersey Hit-And-Run Crash Police were looking for the driver who killed a pedestrian in Shrewsbury, authorities said. The 23-year-old Toms River man died in the hit-and-run crash on Monday, Aug. 5, a Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said on Friday, Aug. 16. Shrewsbury police responded to a report of an unresponsive person near the intersection of Shrewsbury and Sycamore avenues just after 2:45 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team was assisting in the investigation. This was the first of four deadly crashes in Monmouth County so …
Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Central Jersey Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Central Jersey Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say
Squatter Falsely Claimed To Own Two Central Jersey Vacant Homes, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County man was accused of squatting in two vacant homes and falsely claiming to own them, authorities said. Markies Wells, 39, was given 13 charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 15. He's also known as Messiah Law-Elbey and last had a legitimate address in Neptune Township. Keansburg police said Wells climbed through a back window of an abandoned Pine View Avenue home in March and changed the locks on the front and back doors. He was arrested and charged in the case. Holmdel police then found in July that Wells als…
Man Killed While Walking Across Route 9 In Central Jersey, Prosecutors Say Man Killed While Walking Across Route 9 In Central Jersey, Prosecutors Say
Man Killed While Walking Across Route 9 In Central Jersey, Prosecutors Say A man was hit by a vehicle and killed while crossing a busy road in Freehold Township, authorities said. The crash happened at around 8:56 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. The wreck was at the intersection of Route 9 North and East Freehold Road. A 56-year-old man died in the crash. The Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team and the Freehold Township Police Department were assisting in the investigation. This was the second deadly pedestrian crash in Freehold in less than a week. Frank Tommasini, 76, of …
Bicyclist Hit By Vehicle, Killed In Central Jersey: Prosecutors Bicyclist Hit By Vehicle, Killed In Central Jersey: Prosecutors
Bicyclist Hit By Vehicle, Killed In Central Jersey: Prosecutors A bicyclist was hit by a vehicle and killed in a crash in Holmdel, authorities said. Holmdel police responded to the wreck on Bethany Road on Monday, Aug. 12, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. The crash happened near the intersection with Galway Drive just before 8 a.m. The 65-year-old Holmdel man was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The vehicle's driver remained at the scene and no charges or summonses have been filed as of Tuesday, Aug. 13. The crash investigation closed Bethany between Hillcrest and Line roads. The road was reopened by 11:10 a.m.…
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say
NJ Youth Soccer Coach Accused Of More Sexual Crimes Against Ninth Player, Prosecutors Say A Monmouth County youth soccer coach accused of molesting two players and sending sexual pictures to others was given more charges, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 32-year-old Ryan Gunsauls of Union Beach on 30 counts, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 14. He was previously arrested in the case in Hazlet on Friday, May 11.  Investigators said one boy told police earlier in May that Gunsauls had been sending him "sexually explicit materials" and asking for them on social media. Eight more victims bet…
Police ID Pedestrian Killed Near Freehold Raceway Police ID Pedestrian Killed Near Freehold Raceway
Police ID Pedestrian Killed Near Freehold Raceway A 76-year-old Manalapan man was killed after he was struck by a cargo van in Freehold on Wednesday morning, Aug. 7, authorities said. Frank Tommasini who was crossing Park Avenue at Ann Street when he was struck by a 2022 Ram ProMaster van heading west on Route 33 around 11:25 a.m.,  Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said. Tommasini was pronounced dead on scene, right near the Freehold Raceway, Santiago said. The driver, 65, remained on the scene, Santiago said. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART…
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Second Child 20+ Years Ago, Prosecutors Say Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Second Child 20+ Years Ago, Prosecutors Say
Central Jersey Man Sexually Assaulted Second Child 20+ Years Ago, Prosecutors Say A South River man was indicted after he was accused of sexually assaulting a second child about 25 years ago, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 45-year-old Robert Wisiak on first-degree aggravated sexual assault. Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Julia Alonso announced the indictment in a news release on Monday, July 29. Wisiak, who used to live in Keansburg, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Investigators said he sexually assaulted one child who was under 13 years old between 1999 and 2001. A second victim came forward after Wisiak was arrested. That vi…
NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit
NJ Teacher Sexually Assaulted HS Student, Told Him To Delete Nude Cellphone Pics: Affidavit A former Wall High School teacher sexually assaulted an 18-year-old student several times and sent him nude pictures, according to arrest records. An affidavit obtained by Daily Voice said 36-year-old Julie Rizzitello of Brick Township had sexual contact with the student between April and June. She was arrested on Wednesday, July 3, and charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. The affidavit said a Wall Township Public Schools employee told police on Monday, July 1 a…
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors A former Wall Township High School teacher was facing more charges after she was accused of sexually assaulting a second student, authorities said. Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township, was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree witness tampering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, July 17.  She was previously charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Investigators said they found e…
Man With 'Fierce Love' For Family, Motorcycles Died In Central Jersey Crash: Fundraiser Man With 'Fierce Love' For Family, Motorcycles Died In Central Jersey Crash: Fundraiser
Man With 'Fierce Love' For Family, Motorcycles Died In Central Jersey Crash: Fundraiser Authorities have identified the Freehold man who was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle in Howell Township. Aaron Aponte, 28, died from his injuries in the crash on Tuesday, July 9, a spokesperson for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said. It happened at the intersection of Fort Plains Road and Jerry’s Lane at around 4:53 p.m. Investigators said Aponte was riding a Honda GL 1100L motorcycle north on Fort Plains when he tried to go around a curve in the road. He fell and slid with his motorcycle across the road into oncoming traffic. A Honda Odyssey crashed …