Story by Ethan
On September 11th, 2025, the arrest of Martine Taylor Jr., age 56, was announced by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Martine Taylor Jr. was initially charged with Causing Death While Driving with a Suspended Drivers License, as well as being issued several motor vehicle summons. However, due to additional information being uncovered during further investigation, the charges were brought up to Aggravated Manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide. The arrest and charges against Martine Taylor Jr. were a result of an investigation launched 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.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Lakewood Township Police Department received a call at approximately 1:35 a.m. on May 13th, 2025. A commercial tractor operator called the station to report damaged overhead utility wires eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue. The Jersey Central Power & Light was summoned to the area to secure it and render it safe. Responding officers discovered a 2015 Nissan Altima, heavily damaged, upside down in a ditch adjacent to where the powerlines were struck. Two individuals were found in the car, Martine Taylor Jr. in the driver’s seat and Christine Kroliczak, age 52, in the passenger’s seat. Martine Taylor Jr. was transported to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey to be treated for his injuries. Life saving attempts were made on Christine Kroliczak, however unsuccessful, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation revealed that Martine Taylor Jr. had been driving westbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue before crossing the double yellow lines onto the eastbound lane and then cleared the guardrail and flew 189ft through the air. The vehicle hit a utility pole before bouncing on the ground once and hitting a tree, then landing on its roof in the ditch. It was uncovered that Martine Taylor Jr.’s license had been suspended at the time of the crash, and that his blood alcohol content was .182 when his blood was drawn while being treated for his injuries. Allegedly Martine Taylor Jr. was traveling between 94 and 98 miles-per-hour before the accident, despite the speed limit being 50 miles-per-hour, and there was no evidence of any attempts to brake or stop the vehicle at all. Martine Taylor Jr. was taken into custody on September 11th, 2025, without incident.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Martine Taylor Jr. are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
