Lavallette man indicted for vehicular homicide while he was high

A Lavallette man has been indicted by a Grand Jury in connection to charges of vehicular homicide after he struck a pedestrian on Route 35 North and Guyer Avenue last October.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced that Brian Kosanke, 39, of Lavallette, was indicted by a grand jury in connection with charges of 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 Intent to Distribute Xanax in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); Possession of Xanax in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1); and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(1).

Kosanke is also facing the motor vehicle charge of Driving While Intoxicated in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.

Thomas Castronovo, 80, of Warren, New Jersey, who had been struck by a vehicle operated by Kosanke was administered lifesaving procedures by first responders and transported to Community Medical Center where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Kosanke submitted to a blood sample at the scene of the accident and it was administered at the hospital on October 19, 2019.

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 issued for Kosanke’s arrest, and he was apprehended on November 7, 2019.

During the course of this arrest, officers found a quantity of Xanax on his person packaged for distribution.

He was also found with heroin in his possession at the scene of the accident, which he hid on the side of the road in an effort for police not to find it, but he picked up after being released from the hospital his blood sample was taken at.

Detectives learned that through surveillance camera footage that prior to police arriving Kosanke removed something from his vehicle, that turned out to be heroin.

Kosanke is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending his Arraignment.

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