Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Avrohom Pam, 20, of Lakewood, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on the charges of Death by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-5a, and Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(4), in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Lakewood Township in the early evening hours of June 11, 2021 – resulting in the death of Sean Avon, 26, of Brick Township.

On June 11, 2021, at approximately 5:15 p.m., Lakewood Township Police were summoned to the area of Lanes Mills Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Pam was driving a 2021 Ford Van in the rightmost lane of travel on Lanes Mills Road, when he struck a 2019 Honda CRV being driven by John Arendt, Jr., 73, of Brick Township. The force of the collision propelled Mr. Arendt’s vehicle into the northbound lane of traffic where it struck a 2012 Ford Mustang head-on being driven by Mr. Avon.

Mr. Avon suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash; he was transported to Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Mr. Arendt was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was treated for his injuries and released. Pam remained on the scene and did not require medical attention.

An investigation conducted by the aforementioned law enforcement agencies revealed that a verbal altercation had occurred between Pam and Mr. Arendt which precipitated the motor vehicle crash, and that Pam’s reckless driving was the cause of this crash – resulting in Mr. Avon’s death.

On June 12, 2022, Pam was charged and subsequently processed at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and later released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Robert Cassidy who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Victim Witness Advocacy Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective and cooperative assistance in connection with this investigation leading to Pam’s arrest and now his indictment.

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).


courtesy OCPO