Belmar Man Charged with DWI, Assault by Auto

A man from Belmar was just charged with driving while intoxicated and assault by auto, as Ocean County authorities allege that he was intoxicated when he struck two police officers with his vehicle during an incident last summer.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, 43-year-old Belmar resident Jeffrey Carstens was taken into custody on January 2nd after officials determined that his blood alcohol content was above 0.08 percent when he struck two Pine Beach police officers conducting a motor vehicle stop.

Fortunately, the 23-year-old police officers sustained minor injuries and were released after receiving medical treatment. Carstens, on the other hand, is facing two counts of assault by auto as well as motor vehicle charges for driving while intoxicated and is currently awaiting his first appearance in court.

Carstens is facing a variety of serious penalties as a result of his recent arrest. For example, he was likely charged with two counts of fourth degree assault by auto, which is a felony level offense punishable by up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. Further, he may be sentenced to additional jail time and a period of driver’s license suspension in connection with the DWI charge if he is eventually found guilty.

For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Belmar driver who struck 2 Pine Beach police officers was intoxicated, authorities say