Jackson man who had .17 BAC is indicted for crash that killed Toms River man

A Jackson man has been indicted on charges including vehicular homicide after he caused the death of a Toms River man while drunk in October of last year.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced that Douglas Thompson, 55, of Jackson, was indicted on charges of Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a; Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5.3a; and Causing a Death While Driving with a Suspended License in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:40-22a.

Toms River Police were dispatched to the intersection of Route 9 and Stevens Road on October 15, 2019 for a report of a motor vehicle accident.

Officers learned through the early investigation that Thomas Marciano, 65, of Toms River, was stopped behind a motor vehicle making a left-hand turn when he was struck from behind by a vehicle operated by Thompson.

Marciano was transported to Community Medical Center and was later flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center due to the gravity of his injuries which he passed away from on October 28, 2019.

Thompson submitted to chemical breath testing following the crash which revealed he had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .17 percent – more than double the legal limit under New Jersey law.

He was then charged with Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50, Reckless Driving in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-96, Careless Driving in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-97, as well as Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Suspended or Revoked License in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:3-40.

As a result of Marciano’s death, Thompson was also charged with Vehicular Homicide and Strict Liability Homicide on November 8, 2019.

Thompson was arrested at his residence in Jackson by members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Toms River Township Police Department.

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