NJ drunk driver gets 12 years for killing Warren County mom

⚠️ A Hackettstown man received a 12-year sentence for a 2023 drunken crash that killed a Warren County mother.

➡️ Andrzej Szyszko was driving drunk and high with a suspended license when he ran a stop sign and caused the three-vehicle crash.

🔴 Lauren Gerhold's husband told the court the criminal justice system failed his family as Szyszko had recently been released after a separate arrest.

Every family milestone that Lauren Gerhold should have been there to celebrate — birthdays, graduations, holidays and watching her two young sons grow up — will now happen without her.

Instead, her husband, Casey Gerhold, told a Warren County courtroom on Thursday that he has been left to raise their boys alone after a repeat offender, driving drunk, under the influence of drugs and with a suspended license, crashed into her SUV on the day before Thanksgiving in 2023.

On Thursday, the man responsible, Andrzej Szyszko, of Hackettstown, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree death by auto and two counts of assault by auto.

Repeat offender's history drew sharp criticism from victim's husband

Lauren Gerhold, 33, is survived by her husband, Casey, and their two sons.

In an emotional victim impact statement, Casey Gerhold said his family's tragedy could have been prevented because Szyszko had been released from custody just two months before the fatal crash despite his lengthy criminal record.

"Mr. Szyszko is a repeat offender, with too many repeats. He was released just two months prior to the accident that took Lauren from us all, because he didn't pose a 'threat' to the community."

As part of a plea deal, Superior Court Judge Reema Sethi Kareer sentenced Szyszko to 12 years in prison on the aggravated manslaughter conviction. His remaining sentences will run concurrently.

"There is no perfect system, but we were failed by that system. More must be done, and should be done, about career criminals. If not, more families will feel this loss, pain, and permanent impact, as my family, and the many before, have sustained," Gerhold told the court.

His full victim impact statement appears below.

Drunk, high and driving with a suspended license

The crash happened midafternoon on Nov. 22, 2023, at the intersection of County Route 517 and Ridge Road in Allamuchy.

According to investigators, Szyszko ran a stop sign while driving drunk and under the influence of drugs. His Jeep Wrangler slammed into a Ford F-450 pickup, seriously injuring two people before the force of the crash pushed the truck into Gerhold's Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Gerhold was killed.

Since August 2024, Szyszko has already been serving a seven-year prison sentence stemming from an earlier arrest involving heroin possession and unlawful possession of a weapon. Those offenses occurred just two months before the fatal crash.

He had also been arrested on a DWI charge in Hackettstown in 2019.

In addition to the prison sentence, his driver's license will remain suspended for five years and he must pay mandatory fines.

Full victim impact statement from Casey Gerhold, on the loss of his wife, Lauren Gerhold

“Thank you doesn’t seem enough to truly recognize the support that has been given. From first responders to legal aid to family and friends, all meals, donations, and assistance is recognized and appreciated.

Lauren was a strong and genuine person. Lauren was honest, no matter how difficult it was, and always spoke her mind.

All Lauren ever wanted was to be married and have children. She wanted to live a happy life and grow old with her husband. She wanted to raise her children and be a compassionate mother.

Now, without Lauren, I am left with the worry of raising my two sons on my own. Our financial stability and our entire way of life was put at risk. The stress of being the ‘Super Parent’ can be difficult to cope with. I am left to carry the grief for myself and my sons.”

“Mr. Szyszko is a repeat offender, with too many repeats. He was released just two months prior to the accident that took Lauren from us all, because he didn’t pose a ‘threat’ to the community.

There is no perfect system, but we were failed by that system. More must be done, and should be done, about career criminals. If not, more families will feel this loss, pain, and permanent impact, as my family, and the many before, have sustained.

There is no ruling or sentencing that could relieve the heartbreak we have endured. But, knowing he is serving his punishment and facing his consequences, he is unable to pose a danger to others and their loved ones.

I wish I could assign more blame, consequences, and restitution. Andrzej Szyszko stole a lifetime of love and memories from our family with Lauren, and I wish to steal a lifetime from him.

I will make sure my boys know who their mom was, sharing pictures and reminiscing on the irreplaceable moments we spent as a family. Our family was shattered, but the memories of Lauren will always be what pieces us back together.“
— Casey Gerhold, husband of crash victim Lauren Gerhold