Lavallette man was drunk and high when he struck and killed pedestrian, prosecutor says

A Lavallette man has been arrested and charged with DWI and vehicular homicide in an accident on October 19 where a pedestrian died after being hit on Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue, announced Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

Brian Kosanke, 39, was charged with 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; Possession with the Intent to Distribute Xanax Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b; Possession of Xanax Pills in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a; and Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1) and Driving While Intoxicated in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.

On October 19, around 6:30 p.m., Lavallette Police arrived on Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue, following the report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle with serious injuries.

Officers discovered Thomas Castronovo, 80, of Warren, New Jersey, had been struck by a vehicle driven by Kosanke.

Castronovo was administered lifesaving procedures from first responders and was transported to Community Medical Center where he ultimately passed away from his injuries.

An investigation by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lavallette Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Kosanke was traveling North bound on Route 35 when he struck Castronovo as he was crossing Guyer Avenue.

Kosanke agreed to submit to a blood sample and was transported to the hospital for same.

The results of the blood sample revealed that Kosanke was under the influence of Xanax, Cocaine, Fentanyl and Gabapentin when he struck Castronovo.

A warrant was then issued for Kosanke’s arrest.

During the course of this arrest, officers found a quantity of Xanax in his possession and packaged for distribution.

Detectives also determined through surveillance camera footage that prior to police arriving on October 19 Kosanke removed something from his vehicle.

Further investigation revealed that Kosanke had taken an amount of Heroin from his vehicle and hid it on the side of the road, which he later retrieved after he was released from the hospital.

Kosanke is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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