Cops: Ocean County Drunk Driver Fled Fatal Crash

By Chris Lundy

MANCHESTER

– A Toms River man has been charged with drunk driving and fleeing the scene of a crash where a motorcyclist was killed.

Yasmin Sanchez-Centeno, 22, of Toms River, was charged with Vehicular Homicide, Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide, Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death, and being an Unlicensed Driver Involved in a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death, police said.

At around 10 p.m. on August 3, he was driving in a Nissan Murano. He pulled out from a side road near 1881 Route 37 and failed to yield to a motorcyclist, police said. The motorcycle struck the rear passenger side door.

Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, of Toms River, was driving the Yamaha motorcycle. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Police said that Sanchez-Centeno drove off, heading east on Route 37 until his SUV became inoperable. He fled on foot to a wooded area and he was later found by Manchester police. They administered sobriety tests to the driver, which he failed.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.

Cha rges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.