The Tragic Story of Lakewood's Mordy Berkovitz

Mordy Berkovitz, a 23-year-old from the Orthodox Jewish community in Lakewood, New Jersey, has become a cautionary tale after a drunk-driving crash that took a life and shattered families. On July 22, 2022, Berkovitz, then 20 and described in his own words as a "regular 21-year-old bochur from Lakewood", attended a 'Toameha'.

According to Chabad.org, a Toameha is "a time-hallowed custom to taste the Shabbos food on Friday afternoon ... this ensures that the food isn’t burned, or as others put it, it ensures the food has the proper spices “so it will be eaten with delight.”"

After the tasting, he decided to go to a friend's house for Shabbos. And that's when everything went horribly wrong. He sped off at approximately 90 mph in a 35 mph zone on Route 70 in Lakewood, crossed the double yellow lines, and caused a head-on collision with another vehicle.

He was driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of 0.157% (nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08%).

The crash killed Juana Lopez-Hernandez, a 39-year-old woman from Toms River, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in her car was seriously injured. Berkovitz's vehicle flipped multiple times, but he survived with injuries. The incident was described as devastating, with witnesses and first responders noting the horrific scene of wreckage and loss.

Five days after the accident, Berkovitz turned himself in to police. He remained in jail for five weeks, after which he was on house arrest. He has ben on house arrest ever since.

He told Mishpacha magazine, "Being on house arrest means I’m home all day. It means I’m missing all family simchahs, all outings with friends, everything. For the first year, I wasn’t even allowed to go to shul. Now, baruch Hashem, I can go out for minyanim, at set times only, and it’s been a huge saving grace."

He was indicted in June 2023 on charges including aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, aggravated assault, and assault by auto. On April 24, 2025, he pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto. Prosecutors sought a 10-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, meaning he would serve at least 85% (about 8.5 years) before parole eligibility.

Sentencing was scheduled for July 18, 2025. However no public records or news reports confirm the outcome, indicating it may have been delayed or not yet detailed in media. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer's office has not released updates, and local outlets like the Asbury Park Press and Jersey Shore Online still reference the scheduled date without a resolution.

In a poignant reflection published in Mishpacha Magazine on July 15, 2025, shortly before the scheduled sentencing, Berkovitz shared his remorse: "I was a regular 21-year-old bochur from Lakewood. Then I made a fatal mistake." He described the night as starting innocently with friends but ending in tragedy due to his decision to drive intoxicated. "Some mistakes can't be undone," he wrote, expressing profound sorrow for the irreversible pain caused to Lopez-Hernandez's family and his own. The article highlighted his transformation, noting how the incident consumed his life with courtrooms and lawyers.

This reflection inspired "The Mordy Berkovitz Project," a community-driven anti-drunk driving campaign aimed at preventing similar tragedies, particularly in the Orthodox Jewish community. The project promotes the message "Be The Responsible One" through billboards, social media, and initiatives like allocating tzedokah (charity) to support local schools or anti-drunk-driving efforts. It encourages awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, tying into Jewish values of accountability and teshuva (repentance). Endorsed by figures like singer Simcha Leiner, the project has gained traction with outdoor advertising and online sharing, turning Berkovitz's story into a call for responsibility.

Lopez-Hernandez's loved ones have spoken of their loss, while Berkovitz's community grapples with the fallout.

Sources: Mishpacha Magazine, Lakewood Scoop, MSN