A Brick Township resident was arrested this morning and charged in connection with a fatal wrong-way Lakewood crash in March, law enforcement sources tell TLS.
Brian Baldari faces charges including Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, and Assault by Auto in the accident that occurred on Route 70.
According to an initial statement from the Prosecutor’s office, “A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that a Cadillac CT5 Blackwing, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of Route 70 at a high rate of speed. The Cadillac collided head-on with a Mazda CX5, and subsequently struck additional vehicles before coming to rest. The Cadillac then caught fire with the driver trapped inside. The driver of the Cadillac was ultimately extracted from the vehicle and airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune, and subsequently transported to Weill Cornell Medicine Burn Center in New York City, where he is listed in critical condition.”
The driver of the Mazda was airlifted to JSUMC, where he later succumbed to his injuries from the crash.
An official statement from the Prosecutor’s Office is expected later today.
UPDATE 2:47 PM: Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 13, 2025, Brian Baldari, 47, of Brick Township, was charged with Aggravated Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto in connection with a motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Edwin Borja, 66, of Manchester, that occurred on March 7, 2025, in Lakewood.
On March 7, 2025, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 70 and Airport Road in reference to a motor vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles. Responding Officers determined that the crash involved a total of eight vehicles. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that a Cadillac CT5 Blackwing – operated by Baldari – was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane of Route 70. The Cadillac collided head-on with a Mazda CX5 being operated by Mr. Borja, and subsequently struck additional vehicles before coming to rest. The Cadillac then caught fire with Baldari trapped inside. Baldari was ultimately extracted from the vehicle and airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune, and subsequently transported to Weill Cornell Medicine Burn Center in New York City, where he was treated and ultimately released.
Mr. Borja was likewise airlifted to JSUMC. On March 18, 2025, Mr. Borja succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the crash. The driver of one of the other vehicles involved in the crash was taken to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township where he was treated and subsequently released. The drivers of the remaining vehicles involved in the crash were uninjured.
“Continuing investigation has revealed that Baldari was traveling at a speed of approximately 103 miles-per-hour in the incorrect lane of travel for approximately two miles before he crashed into Mr. Borja’s vehicle. As such, Baldari was charged accordingly as set forth above, and he surrendered himself to Lakewood Township Police Headquarters today. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Either he was under the influence or using his cellphone
That or this was a suicide attempt
Seems like speed traps along county roads would cut the accident rate and boost revenues for the County. Why is the County delaying?
Why to slap them on the wrist and say BAD BOY!!! then let them go an hour later, or cry discrimination then be let go. It’s always the same thing, it will never change!
It’s not a County road , it’s a State Highway. 5
Just a comment about jumping to conclusions. When this 1st happened, everyone online was blamming the seniors, blamming the Jews, blaming the immigrants. Turns out it was a white guy from Brick.
CT5 Blackwing should’ve eliminated seniors on fixed incomes and let’s be honest I haven’t seen any Hasidic Jews rolling around in exotic sports cars capable of putting 700 horsepower and 700 pounds of torque on the pavement. CT5 Blackwing means white finance bro, white crypto bro, or in this instance white pharma bro. It’s a tragedy that this guy killed someone racing his car around like that. Apparently the deceased was a decorated Olympic swimmer from the Philippines, and this guys life is over for the next 10-15 years. Tragic outcomes for all involved