Lighthouse Christian Church Assessing Damage After Late-Night Crash

In the aftermath of the that literally impacted their place of worship just before 1 a.m. this morning, officials at were consulting with engineers and building personnel today to assess the full extent of the damage from the DWI-related crash.

At approximately 12:45 a.m. Friday morning, a 2007 Mazda operated by 21-year-old Lanoka Harbor resident Randy Rozell was traveling on Route 9, in the vicinity of Bay Way, near the Berkeley Township border in Bayville.

Police said the vehicle left the roadway, became airborne, and collided with the Lighthouse Christian Church, which is located at the corner of Route 9 and Bay Way.

Rozell was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for evaluation of head injuries. He was charged with DWI and numerous other motor vehicle violations. Rozell’s passenger, 22-year-old Robert Plaschke of Forked River, also suffered head injuries in the accident and was also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.,

Police reported that Rozell was evaluated, treated and released from Jersey Shore, while Plaschke is listed in stable condition at the hospital. 

Deacon Doreen Orr said that Lacey Police notified the church’s Pastor Jim Kuipers just after the accident had occurred, and accompanied him to the scene, where crash debris was located all over the front of the church property.

“A street sign was taken down, part of the fence outside the church was taken down, the top of our flagpole was on the opposite side of the church’s front step, and we found both a license plate and fender sticking out of the road,” said Orr. “The crash impacted the entire front of the church, which is separate from the rest of the building.”

Orr explained that she was told by structural engineers the impact of the vehicle driven by Rozell caused the entire front of the building to shift approximately six inches from its original position.

“We’re told that we’re still allowed to use the main part of the building for church services for now, just not the front of the building. It’s our third year in this building, which itself is 106 years old,” said the deacon.

Orr said the church is a local landmark. She thanked the community for their support, including the , who contacted them after the accident took place.

Structural engineer Bob Wickel of Toms River said that the entry wall of the building’s south side was the only area of the church where extensive damage was located. But church officials seemed like they were going to have the area reconstructed very soon.

“At the rate they’re going, they’ll probably have it back up within the week,” he remarked.

Pastor Kuipers said he was shocked when Lacey Police alerted him at about 1:30 a.m. about the accident.

After speaking with engineers today, Kuipers said that the main frame of the building itself was not compromised beyond repair.

“Structurally, we’re fine — there are just some things we’re going to have to rebuild,” he said. The bulk of the damage was centered on the front entranceway and foyer of the church.

“We want to thank Lacey Township, who has worked tremendously to get us back open again,” said the pastor.

Most important of all, Kuipers wanted the two men involved in the accident to know that they have a spiritual ally with the congregation at Lighthouse Christian Church.

“We just thank God that no one was killed, and we are keeping those parties responsible in our prayers at this time,” said Kuipers.