Cops: Lakewood Man, 20, Was Driving 106mph Through Red Light Before Hitting Cop

Edwin Ramirez- Carranza (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A Lakewood man was driving his pickup truck at 106 m.p.h. at about the same time he ran a red light and struck a car being driven by an off-duty Lakewood police officer returning home after his shift. The driver, identified as Edwin Ramirez- Carranza, 20, has since been charged with several offenses.

The accident occurred April 19 at 12:10 a.m. near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Cedar Bridge Avenue, according to a statement from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Responding officers found a Honda Civic in the roadway and a Chevy Silverado in a drainage basin off of the roadway – with both vehicles occupied solely by their respective drivers.

Investigators found that the Silverado – operated by Ramirez-Carranza – was traveling northbound on New Hampshire Avenue when it “disregarded a red traffic signal” and struck the Honda Civic which was traveling eastbound on Cedar Bridge Avenue.  The Honda was being operated by an off-duty Lakewood Township Police Officer who had just ended his shift; he was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries, where he is listed in critical condition.

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In their statement, prosecutors said it was determined through investigation that the Chevy Silverado was traveling at approximately 106 miles per hour “just seconds before the collision.” Additionally, a subsequent search of Ramirez-Carranza’s vehicle yielded a “quantity of Marijuana,” the statement said.

Ramirez-Carranza was also transported to JSUMC for treatment of his injuries.  In furtherance of the investigation, a draw of his blood was obtained after prosecutors obtained a warrant.

Ramirez-Carranzo was charged with aggravated assault and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses, specifically, operating an unregistered vehicle, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to observe a traffic signal, speeding, operating a motor vehicle after 11 p.m. with a probationary driver’s license, using a wireless device while operating a motor vehicle with a probationary driver’s license, failure to have required decals on a license plate while operating a motor vehicle with a probationary driver’s license, and having an unsealed container of cannabis in a motor vehicle.

On April 20, 2025, Ramirez-Carranza was released from JSUMC; he was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing. A records search indicated an ICE detainer is outstanding for Ramirez-Carranza.