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Charles Sharkey Jr., 35, pleaded guilty on Monday, Oct. 21 to aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated, and certain person not to possess a firearm, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release.
Sharkey was charged in a crash on Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023. Toms River police responded to the wreck near the intersection of Route 70 and Massachusetts Avenue at around 4 p.m.
Investigators said Sharkey was driving a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 east on Route 70 when he failed to stop at the intersection's red light. The pickup grazed the back of a 2016 Honda CR-V that was driving west on Route 70 and turning left onto Massachusetts.
Sharkey then struck a 2017 Subaru Impreza that was also turning left onto Massachusetts. The Subaru was pushed backward and spun around clockwise, while the Dodge overturned, caught fire, and landed on the driver's side. A 2021 Lexus RX 350 was grazed and had minor damage in the crash.
The man driving the Subaru and three children were brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township. The driver and two kids with minor injuries were released, while a third child with serious injuries was later brought to a rehabilitation facility before returning home to recover.
According to investigators, Sharkey was driving erratically and used a cellphone right before the crash. He also had a suspended driver’s license and two active arrest warrants.
Prosecutors said the Dodge Ram was a rental and was taken without the renter's consent. Sharkey was arrested at the crash scene and brought to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for his injuries.
Detectives got a warrant to draw a sample of Sharkey’s blood at the Lakewood hospital. Laboratory results determined he was under the influence of meth during the crash.
Less than two weeks before the crash, Jackson Township police discovered Sharkey passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle on North County Line Road on Sunday, Mar. 12, 2023. Investigators said he was under the influence of "an intoxicant" and he was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Sharkey was found with a .22-caliber gun when he was first arrested. He was brought to the Ocean County Jail and released on bail.
Sharkey has been held in the county jail since he was brought there after the crash. He was facing up to 20 years in prison.
Sentencing was scheduled for Friday, Dec. 20.
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