NJ woman admits to deadly Toms River crash that killed James Cruz

🔻 NJ woman pleads guilty in fatal crash

🔻 A 62-year-old man was killed after being hit and pinned between cars

🔻 Toms River driver faces six years in prison

A 32-year-old Toms River woman has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide stemming from a drunken crash that killed a 62-year-old Middlesex County man.

Ashley Beams entered her plea in Ocean County Superior Court.

James “Jimmy” Cruz, of Parlin, died after being struck and pinned between two cars the night of Feb. 8, 2022.

James Cruz (via Mack Memorial Home)

Cruz had been getting something from the trunk of his parked vehicle in the area of Bay Avenue and Twin Oaks Avenue, when he was struck by Beams as she swerved into the shoulder, investigators said.

He was pinned between the two vehicles and dragged “a significant distance” eastbound on Bay Avenue.

Shortly after Toms River police arrived, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Twins Oaks Drive at Bay Avenue, Toms River (Google Maps)

Beams was also hurt in the crash and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Blood samples taken there revealed that her Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of the crash was substantially higher than the legal limit of .08.

Jimmy Cruz (Joe Irizarry via GoFundMe)

Cruz was mourned as a loving person and talented event DJ by those who contributed over $10,000 to a GoFundMe campaign for his funeral expenses.

At Beams’ sentencing on Sept. 15, the state would recommend a six year prison term.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

LOOK: Most dangerous states to drive in

Stacker used the Federal Highway Administration's 2020 Highway Statistics report to rank states by the fatalities per billion miles traveled.

NJ county fairs are back! Check out the 2023 summer schedule

A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2023. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.

(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)

LOOK: 20 of the biggest insects in the world

Stacker compiled a list of 20 of the biggest insects in the world using a variety of news, scientific, and other sources.

Offbeat adventures: Travel to the coolest hidden wonders in every U.S. state

Fuel your offbeat travel dreams. Stacker found the coolest hidden wonders in all 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) using data from Atlas Obscura.

[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]