09/02/2026
LAKEHURST MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
VEHICULAR HOMICIDE
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 31, 2026, Douglas Smith, 52, of Lakehurst, pled guilty before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Toms River on July 31, 2025, resulting in the death of Allen Adams, 50, of Lumberton Township. At the time of his sentencing on October 23, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison. The sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act (NERA).
On July 31, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the area of Lakewood Road and Raymond Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian. Responding Officers discovered Mr. Adams lying in the roadway with serious injuries. Mr. Adams was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was pronounced deceased.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and Toms River Township Police Department revealed that Mr. Adams was working in a construction zone on Lakewood Road - with machinery equipped with flashing amber warning lights - when he was struck by a vehicle operated by Smith traveling northbound on Lakewood Road. Officers located the vehicle on Lakewood Road just north of where the crash occurred. As Officers engaged Smith, he showed signs of impairment. Smith was initially charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. In furtherance of the investigation, Smith was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant.
Laboratory results of Smith’s blood draw, received by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, revealed that Smith’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .151 at the time his blood was drawn. In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where the operator’s BAC is .08 or greater. Additionally, Smith was found to have co***ne, fentanyl, and methadone in his system. Consequently, Smith was charged with Vehicular Homicide on August 28, 2025, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On September 3, 2025, Smith was located at a residence in Toms River by Officers from the United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Township Police Department. Smith was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has remained detained since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meghan O’Neill who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Smith’s guilty plea and soon his state prison sentence.
