Douglas Thompson (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A local man who was found to be drunk while behind the wheel during a fatal car crash in Toms River will spend up to five years in prison, a judge ruled Monday.
Douglas Thompson, 56, of Jackson, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan to five years New Jersey state prison. Thompson previous pleaded guilty to a charge of death by auto in connection with the Oct. 15, 2019 crash that claimed the life of Thomas Marciano, 65, of Toms River. Marciano was waiting to make a left turn from Route 9 onto Stevens Road when he was struck from behind by Thompson’s vehicle, police said.
Thompson also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, for which he received a 180-day jail term that will be served concurrently with the death by auto charge. Prosecutors said Thompson blew a .17 on a breath test, more than double the state .08 limit.
Ryan also ordered that Thompson’s driving privileges be suspended for life in connection with his sentence.
