Day: August 10, 2023

Beachwood, Ocean County, Plumsted August 10, 2023

Beachwood Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide In Connection With Plumsted Township Fatal Crash

“Laboratory results of an initial blood draw taken from Zinkoski at the hospital revealed that his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was in excess of the legal limit….The laboratory results revealed the presence of cocaine and benzodiazepine in Zinkoski’s blood at the time of the crash as well.…The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Plumsted Township Police Department determined that the vehicle operated by Zinkoski was traveling at an average speed of 86 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash.”

“On August 8, 2023, a warrant was issued for Zinkoski’s arrest. Zinkoski has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice.”

August 10, 2023

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 8, 2023, John Zinkoski, 41, of Beachwood, was charged with Vehicular Homicide and Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Plumsted Township on May 12, 2023, resulting in the death of Judi Smith, 59, of Browns Mills.

On May 12, 2023, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Officers from the Plumsted Township Police Department responded to the area of Pinehurst Road and Long Swamp Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An investigation by the Plumsted Township Police Department determined that a Volvo XC6, operated by Ms. Smith, attempted to make a right-hand turn onto Pinehurst Road when it was struck by a Nissan Frontier operated by Zinkoski, who was traveling southbound on Pinehurst Road. As a result of the crash, Ms. Smith suffered significant injuries and was subsequently transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she ultimately succumbed to those injuries. Zinkoski was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was treated for his injuries and released.

Laboratory results of an initial blood draw taken from Zinkoski at the hospital revealed that his Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was in excess of the legal limit. In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where the operator’s BAC is .08 or greater. The laboratory results revealed the presence of cocaine and benzodiazepine in Zinkoski’s blood at the time of the crash as well. Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Plumsted Township Police Department determined that the vehicle operated by Zinkoski was traveling at an average speed of 86 miles-per-hour at the time of the crash.

On August 8, 2023, a warrant was issued for Zinkoski’s arrest. Zinkoski has not yet been taken into custody, and is considered a fugitive from justice. As such, his name has been entered in the National Crime Information Center database.

Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Plumsted Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.

The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).

Mercer County, Trenton August 10, 2023

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri Announces the Promotion of Kathleen M. Petrucci to Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor

August 10, 2023

TRENTON — Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri recently announced the promotion of Kathleen M. Petrucci to deputy first assistant prosecutor. DFAP Petrucci was sworn in last week by the Honorable Peter E. Warshaw, J.S.C., at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse.

DFAP Petrucci began her career as an assistant prosecutor in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office in September 1999. During her 24 years with the office, she has been assigned to the Trial Unit, Gang Unit, Project Safe Neighborhoods Unit, Juvenile Unit, Grand Jury Unit, Special Investigations Unit/Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, Internal Affairs Unit, and the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. She has served as chief of the Juvenile Unit and chief of the Gang Unit. After four years as a trial team leader, DFAP Petrucci was assigned to the Special Investigations Unit and served as its chief from 2016-2018. She was also cross-designated as a special assistant U.S. attorney, and assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2018-2019 to screen and adopt state drug and gun crimes from Mercer County and prosecute those defendants federally in U.S. Magistrate Court. Most recently, she has been the senior assistant prosecutor supervising the Mercer County Homicide Task Force.

During her career in Mercer County, DFAP Petrucci has conducted numerous jury trials arising from homicides, aggravated assaults, firearms possessions and drug distributions. Trials have included the attempted murder case of State v. Billy Heisler, who was convicted in 2012 of the attempted murder of an off-duty Mercer County Sheriff’s Officer and sentenced to 50 years in New Jersey State Prison, and more recently the double murder case of State v. Treizon Thompson, who was convicted in December 2022 of the murders of two rival gang members.

In addition to her prosecutorial duties, DFAP Petrucci has taught firearms law, controlled dangerous substance law, and juvenile justice at the Mercer County Police Academy and the New Jersey State Police Academy, and has guest lectured at The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College.

While DFAP Petrucci will continue to prosecute homicide cases, her responsibilities in her new role will expand to include general oversight of the Major Crimes, Special Investigations and Appellate units, as well as assisting with formulating policy and overseeing investigations. She has served as administrative assistant prosecutor since September 2021.

DFAP Petrucci graduated from Bethany College (WV) in 1992 and Seton Hall University Law School in 1998. Prior to joining the prosecutor’s office, she was a law clerk for the Honorable Paul T. Koenig, J.S.C., from 1998-1999.

Left to Right: Prosecutor Onofri, DFAP Petrucci and FAP Jennifer Downing-Mathis

Mercer County, Robbinsville, Robbinsville August 10, 2023August 10, 2023

Robbinsville Board Of Education Moves Forward With Public Question To Raise Taxes By $4.8 Million To Cover Deficits

With No Increase in State Aid, School District Seeks Additional Revenue to Avoid Teacher Layoffs, Large Class Sizes and Elimination of Courses. The Public Question will be on the November 7, 2023, ballot.

August 10, 2023

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville Township Board of Education reports, with no other viable option, the Robbinsville Board of Education voted unanimously last night to place a public question on the November general election ballot, asking voters for $4.8 million to cover anticipated deficits in upcoming school budgets.

The school district is not asking for funding to launch new initiatives. Rather, the revenue is required to maintain the outstanding quality of the three schools, directly addressing funding shortfalls created by the state Department of Education.

“For a reason unbeknownst to us, Robbinsville consistently receives less state aid than other Mercer County school districts, forcing us to take these major steps to protect the school district’s reputation of excellence,” said Schools Superintendent Brian Betze. “We have reached this point with heavy hearts. We cannot idly stand by, knowing the quality and reputation of the Robbinsville schools are being threatened.”

The Robbinsville Public Schools prides itself on its exceptional staff, diverse programs, valuable resources, vibrant athletics, and enriching clubs. The proposed funding – if approved by voters – will allow the district to safeguard these vital components, ensuring that students continue to receive an exceptional, diverse education.

The school district is facing a projected $2.1 million shortfall in fixed costs and an additional $2.7 million cut in state aid, amounting to a combined $4.8 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year. The public question, with voter approval, will bridge this anticipated financial gap and prevent any adverse impacts to educational offerings.

“By securing the $4.8 million, we can confidently plan for the next two years, knowing that the district’s financial needs are met, ”the superintendent added. “Our goal is to ensure stability and maintain the high standards of education that our community expects and deserves. We want to assure you that every dollar allocated from the proposed funding will be used wisely and prudently. Transparency and accountability are the core of our values.”

School officials will be engaging with the community about the upcoming referendum, encouraging residents to learn more, ask questions and spread the word to ensure strong voter participation on Tuesday, November 7.

The school district website – robbinsville.k12.nj.us – will be regularly updated with the latest information about the upcoming referendum.