Douglas County, Colorado

A Lakehurst, New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in connection with a July 31, 2025 crash that killed Allen Adams, 50, of Lumberton Township, who was working in a construction zone on Lakewood Road in Toms River. Douglas Smith, 52, entered his plea on Aug. 31 before a Superior Court judge, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

Police found Adams seriously injured in the roadway after Smith's vehicle struck him near equipment marked with flashing warning lights; Adams later died at a hospital. Smith showed signs of impairment at the scene and was later found to have a blood alcohol concentration nearly double the legal limit, along with cocaine, fentanyl and methadone in his system. He was arrested Aug. 28, 2025 and has remained jailed since.

Prosecutors will seek a 10-year prison sentence at Smith's Oct. 23 sentencing. Under New Jersey's No Early Release Act, he would have to serve 85 percent of that term before becoming eligible for parole.