Oct. 29, 2026, 5:25 a.m. ET
TOMS RIVER – A legal hearing on Oct. 28 examined evidence from a double fatal crash on March 7, 2025, that killed two and injured two others.
Defense attorneys are seeking to suppress evidence derived from a cell phone belonging to passenger Jake Beauchamp in a crash at Routes 37 and 166, where a BMW collided with a Toyota.
The crash claimed the lives of Evan Fiore, 23, and Kiley Armstrong, 21, both of Toms River. Their occupants Krista Armstrong and Ryan Chapman sustained serious injuries.
Defense attorney Elizabeth Martin argued that Beauchamp's phone was improperly seized, leading to a warrant for Ryan Rivera's phone, which allegedly contained video of the BMW evading police moments before the crash.
Authorities stated that the video shows occupants encouraging high-speed driving and expressing hostility towards police. Prosecutors revealed this information at previous hearings, but defense lawyers did not specify the content of either phone.
Assistant Prosecutor Travis Clark defended the seizure of Beauchamp's phone, asserting officers acted within legal boundaries. Judge Guy P. Ryan did not rule on the admissibility of the phone evidence, pending further review.
Ryan scheduled a case conference for Nov. 30 and noted that statements made by Beauchamp while hospitalized may only be used by prosecutors should he testify.
All three individuals involved, Beauchamp (21), Rivera (19), and Carlos Martinez (19), face severe charges, including aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide.
Due to a conflict of interest, the case was transferred to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.