The scene of a deadly car accident in Toms River, Nov. 11, 2019. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The results of a medical examiner’s report, released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office on Friday, showed the two young men who died in a one-car accident that made national headlines in November had high levels of alcohol and marijuana in their systems when the Porsche Boxster they were driving careened off Hooper Avenue and launched into a building.
The Report reveals that the driver of the vehicle, Braden DeMartin, 22, of Toms River, had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .189, as well as an Active THC (marijuana) level of 22 nanograms (ng) with a Metabolite THC level of 18ng. In New Jersey, an individual is presumed to be under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08 or greater. In States where marijuana has been legalized, the per se impaired driving limit is 5ng. As a result of the Medical Examiner’s findings, it has been determined that Mr. DeMartin was “significantly impaired” while operating his vehicle.
The passenger in the vehicle, Daniel Foley, 23, of Toms River, had a BAC of .087, just slightly over the legal limit.
The crash occurred early in the morning Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. DeMartin was apparently operating his 2010 Porsche Boxster at a high rate of speed northbound on Hooper Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle, struck an embankment, and was propelled airborne into the building. DeMartin and Mr. Foley were both pronounced dead at the scene, which drew wide-scale media attention due to fact that the vehicle crashed into the second story on the building.
“This was a tragedy of unspeakable proportions, but what makes it truly heartbreaking is that it was altogether avoidable,” said Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. “I am releasing these findings to the public for no other reason than to educate drivers, particularly younger drivers, as to what can happen if they operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.”
“As Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Ocean County, I implore all drivers – young and not so young – to reflect upon this horrific incident, learn from it, and always be mindful of the potentially devastating consequences that may result from driving while impaired,” he continued. “It is incumbent upon every single motorist to make good decisions before getting behind the wheel of a car; failure to make the right choices might well produce irreversible and deadly outcomes.”
