Horrific Route 9 crash: Speeding car kills driver in Lakewood, NJ

LAKEWOOD — A man making a left turn on Route 9 was killed after he was hit by a car traveling at a very high rate of speed on Wednesday morning.

Alejandro Huerta Arias, of Lakewood, 23, was driving a 2012 Infinity G37 northbound and slammed into a 2008 Chevrolet Impala driven by

Mark Mandel, 32, of Lakewood, was turning onto Courtney Road when Alejandro Huerta Arias, 23, of Lakewood, crashed his 2012 Infinity G37 into the front passenger side of Mandel's 2008 Chevrolet Impala.

The impact at full speed sent Mandel's car into a traffic light, according to Lakewood police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith.

Video of the crash posted by The Lakewood Scoop shows the brake lights of the Infinity coming on just split seconds before hitting the Impala. The impact created a cloud of dust and debris.

Mandel died from his injuries at the crash scene, according to Staffordsmith.

Arias had to be extracted from his car and was treated for a leg fracture. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Crash scene on Route 9 in Lakewood 3/9/22 (The Lakewood Scoop)

What was the speed at impact?

Staffordsmith said the crash investigation has not yet determined how fast Arias was traveling. No charges have been filed in the case.

It is the third fatal crash in Lakewood this year, according to State Police statistics.

A funeral for Mandel was held Wednesday afternoon, according to The Lakewood Scoop, which said he has five children.

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

NJ freedom trucker convoy on March 5 — What Bill Spadea saw

It was a chilly Saturday night and a rainy Sunday morning but that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the hundreds of vehicles participating in the New Jersey Freedom Convoy on March 5-6, 2022. Here are some pics of the event, from the crowds lining the overpasses and roadways, to the trucks to the line of vehicles heading south.

Gallery Credit: Bill Spadea

LOOK: 20 Fascinating Photos From the First Modern Olympic Games in 1896

To celebrate the history of international sports cooperation, Stacker took a look back at that groundbreaking event in Athens, when the modern Olympics were born in 1896. Keep reading to learn more about the athletes, spectators, and sports at that iconic event.

Gallery Credit: Caitlin PenzeyMoog