On December 15, 2019, at 1741 hours, the Lacey Township Police Department responded to the area of Lacey Road and Holmes Avenue for a vehicle that struck a pedestrian. The ensuing investigation revealed Mariam Manukyan, 67, Forked River, was attempting to cross Lacey Road from south to north when she was struck in the eastbound lane by a 2011 Jeep Patriot operated by David Winkle, 40, Forked River. M. Manukyan was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of serious bodily injury sustained in the crash. On the night of the crash David Winkle was arrested for DWI and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where a Blood Draw Search Warrant was later executed.
On Friday, January 17, 2020, David Winkle, 40, of Constitution Drive, Forked River, was arrested and charged with third degree Assault by Auto by operating his vehicle while under the influence, causing serious bodily injury to M. Manukyan. He was also charged with three counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; one count for each minor child present in David Winkle’s vehicle at the time of the crash. D. Winkle was also issued motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Impaired, Driving While Impaired with Child Passenger, Reckless Driving, Unsafe Tires, and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle. David Winkle was processed at police headquarters and transferred to the custody of the Ocean County Jail in accordance with Bail Reform.
Sergeant Robert Flynn of the Lacey Township Police Department, and Detective Anthony Carrington III of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit are investigating the crash.
Michael C. DiBella
Chief of Police
Lacey Township Police Department