Martine Taylor Jr., a 56-year-old man from Toms River, has had his charges upgraded nearly five months after a fatal crash in Lakewood, involving serious allegations of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

The crash occurred in the early morning hours when first responders found Taylor's overturned vehicle in a drainage ditch off Cedar Bridge Avenue near the Garden State Parkway.

Investigators determined Taylor was driving at speeds between 94 and 98 mph in a 50 mph zone, with no signs of braking, causing his vehicle to go airborne after crossing the double yellow line, traveling 189 feet through the air before hitting a utility pole and a tree.

The vehicle left the road, went airborne over a guardrail, traveled 189 feet, and struck a utility pole before coming to rest after hitting a tree, with the crash landing the vehicle on its roof.

Taylor had a blood alcohol content of .182 at the time of the crash, well above the legal limit of .08, and was re-arrested at a hotel in Toms River; he is now held at Ocean County Jail.

Prosecutors indicated that Taylor was driving under the influence when the crash occurred on May 13, 2025, resulting in the death of passenger Christine Kroliczak, a 52-year-old woman from Matawan.

Christine Kroliczak was found dead in the front passenger seat of the overturned vehicle, which landed on its roof after hitting a tree, marking her as a victim of the high-speed crash.

The incident underscores ongoing issues of high-speed and impaired driving, leading to serious legal actions against Taylor.

Taylor is currently detained in Ocean County Jail, awaiting a hearing regarding the upgraded charges of manslaughter and vehicular homicide.