Daniel Cormier (Photo: Ocean County Jail)
A 31-year-old local man has been charged with vehicular homicide after prosecutors said he was driving while intoxicated in when he caused a crash in Toms River, resulting in the death of a Freehold resident.
Daniel Cormier, 31, of Manchester, was charged with vehicular homicide and strict liability vehicular homicide in connection with the motor vehicle crash that occurred on March 7, 2026, in Toms River that resulted in the death of Shamirah Nolan, 37, of Freehold. According to a statement from prosecutors, the 11:05 p.m. crash occurred near the intersection of Lakewood Road and Whitty Road. An investigation allegedly revealed that a Volkswagen Jetta – operated by Cormier – was traveling southbound on Lakewood Road when it struck a guardrail on the passenger side, causing it to lose control and collide head-on with a Honda Accord operated by Nolan, which was traveling northbound on Lakewood Road.
Nolan was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where she was pronounced deceased. Cormier was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, where he was treated and subsequently released.
Responding officers at the scene observed that Cormier “appeared to be impaired,” a statement from the prosecutor’s office said. Investigators then analyzed court-authorized draw of his blood taken at the hospital which allegedly showed Cormier’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .09 at the time his blood was drawn. In the state of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where the operator’s BAC is .08 or greater. Additionally, Cormier was found to have Gabapentin and Hydrocodone in his system – rendering him unfit to operate a motor vehicle, the statement said.
Cormier was charged with the offenses on Monday. He surrendered himself to Toms River Township police headquarters and was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
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