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FREEHOLD, NJ – A former Ocean County resident has been charged in connection with a fatal 2022 multi-vehicle crash in Howell, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Wednesday.

Drew Peterson, 34, who formerly lived in Jackson Township and now lives in Jensen Beach, Fla., faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter. Following a thorough evaluation by a forensic toxicologist, the indictment was issued on Wednesday, October 30. Peterson was arraigned on Monday, November 18, after returning to New Jersey.

The incident occurred on Friday, March 11, 2022 at approximately 12:05 p.m. Peterson was driving a 2004 Ford F150 pickup westbound on Route 33 west of the Colts Neck Road intersection when he crossed the center line and deleted a 2004 Kia ​​Rio. Continuing in the wrong direction, the pickup then collided head-on with a 2010 Dodge Challenger driven by Robert C. Johnson, 50, of Neptune Township. The impact caused the truck to overturn, ejecting Peterson.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene afterward