Ocean County authorities have indicted a Lakewood man in connection with a fatal crash in Manchester Township that claimed the life of a Toms River resident last summer.

Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer announced that on May 27, an Ocean County Grand Jury indicted Luis Vazquez-Hernandez, 27, of Lakewood, on a charge of vehicular homicide stemming from the August 11, 2025 crash that killed Ramon Orellana-Asturias, 65, of Toms River.

According to investigators, the crash occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. at the intersection of Hilltop Road and Route 70 in Manchester Township.

Authorities said a 2014 Dodge van carrying a driver and three passengers was traveling westbound on Route 70 and attempting to make a left turn onto Hilltop Road when it was struck by a 2017 Ford Sprinter van operated by Vazquez-Hernandez.

A joint investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, the Manchester Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office determined that Vazquez-Hernandez allegedly crossed over the double yellow line into the opposing lane of travel and passed stopped traffic from behind before colliding with the Dodge van.

The driver of the Dodge and two passengers seated in the front of the vehicle were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of injuries and were later released.

Authorities said Orellana-Asturias, who was seated in the cargo compartment of the van, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vazquez-Hernandez was taken to Community Medical Center with minor injuries.

Following the crash, Vazquez-Hernandez was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, careless driving, speeding, and improper passing.

Prosecutors said Vazquez-Hernandez was formally charged with vehicular homicide on August 18, 2025. Authorities say he remains a fugitive, and his information has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.