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John Zinkoski, 41, of Beachwood, surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Aug. 22, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
The charges are in connection with the alcohol-related crash that occurred in Plumsted Township which resulted in the death of Judi Smith, 59, of Browns Mills, the prosecutor said.
On May 12 at approximately 5:50 p.m., Plumsted Township police responded to Pinehurst and Long Swamp roads for a serious motor vehicle crash.
An investigation by the Plumsted Township Police Department determined that a Volvo XC6, operated by Smith, attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Pinehurst Road when it was struck by a Nissan Frontier operated by Zinkoski, who was traveling southbound on Pinehurst Road.
As a result of the crash, Smith suffered significant injuries and was taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she died.
Zinkoski was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was treated for his injuries and released.
Laboratory results of an initial blood draw taken from Zinkoski at the hospital revealed that his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was in excess of the legal limit, Billhimer said.
The laboratory results revealed the presence of cocaine and benzodiazepine in Zinkoski’s blood at the time of the crash as well, the prosecutor said.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Plumsted Township Police Department determined that the vehicle operated by Zinkoski was traveling at an average speed of 86 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
Upon his surrender to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Zinkoski was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he was held pending a detention hearing.
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