Monday, August 9, 2021
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Joseph Mandola of the Old Bridge Police Department announced Amy Amkhanitsky, 19, of Morganville was sentenced to four years in prison for killing a pedestrian with her car while she was impaired by marijuana.
On February 5, 2020, at approximately 7:30 P.M., authorities responded to the area of Route 34 and Anchor Boulevard where they located Richard Lockwood III, 69, of Old Bridge who sustained serious blunt force trauma. Lockwood was transported from the scene to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead later that evening.
An investigation by Patrolman Greg Miller of the Old Bridge Police Department and Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined Amkhanitsky fatally struck Lockwood with her vehicle as Lockwood attempted to cross Route 34 at a crosswalk. The investigation further revealed Amkhanitsky was under the influence of marijuana when she struck Lockwood.
Although initially charged as a juvenile, Amkhanitsky was ultimately waived to the Criminal Part of the Superior where she was prosecuted as an adult.
On Wednesday, August 4, 2021, following sentencing arguments offered by Assistant Prosecutor Linda Estremera, the Honorable Benjamin S. Bucca, J.S.C. sentenced Amkhanitsky to four years in the care and custody of the Juvenile Justice Commission on one count of third-degree Strict Liability Vehicular Homicide. Amkhanitsky was also sentenced for Driving While Intoxicated.