Thomas Pellegrino, a longtime Manasquan, New Jersey school board member, was charged with drunk driving and eight related offenses after crashing his Jeep Wrangler into a family’s living room on March 7, 2026. He resigned from the Manasquan Board of Education less than two weeks later, and his case remains pending in Manasquan Municipal Court, with an August 5, 2026 pretrial conference set to decide whether he accepts a plea or heads to trial.1Star News Group. Former BOE Member Facing DWI Charges to Accept Plea or Face Trial
What Happened That Night
Around 2:10 a.m. on March 7, 2026, Pellegrino, then 58, struck two parked cars on Newark Avenue in Manasquan, drove across several front lawns, narrowly missed a utility pole on Ridge Avenue, and drove up the front porch stairs of 18 Ridge Avenue before crashing into the home’s living room.2NJ1015. Manasquan Drunk Driving Incident
The home belonged to Sarah Dunne, who was asleep inside with her family. Dunne told reporters she found a “dazed” Pellegrino in her kitchen after the impact.3Patch. Manasquan School Board Member Who Police Say Drove Drunk Into Home Resigns No one was physically hurt, but the crash came feet from the first-floor bedroom where her 17-year-old son was sleeping. “If the car had been a few feet to the left, my 17-year-old son would probably be dead,” Dunne told NJ.com.4NJ.com. A NJ School Board Member Who Crashed His Jeep Into a Neighbor’s Living Room Has Resigned The living room was demolished and family mementos, including children’s kindergarten art, paintings, and pottery, were destroyed.5Asbury Park Press. Manasquan Family Rebuilds After Jeep Crashes Into Living Room
The Charges
Manasquan police, through spokesperson Captain Nick Norcias, announced the following charges:
- Operating under the influence of liquor or drugs
- Refusal to submit to a breath test
- Reckless driving
- Unsafe operation of a vehicle
- Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage
- Failure to report an accident
- Endangering another person by recklessly creating substantial risk
- Unsafe lane change on marked lanes
- Failure to use lighted lamps when required
The DWI, refusal, reckless driving, and hit-and-run counts were filed at the time of arrest.6Daily Voice. Longtime Manasquan School Board Member Drunkenly Crashed Car Into Home The endangerment and equipment counts were added by the time the case reached municipal court.1Star News Group. Former BOE Member Facing DWI Charges to Accept Plea or Face Trial No blood alcohol content has been publicly reported, which tracks with the refusal charge.
Resignation From the Board
Pellegrino had served on the Manasquan Board of Education for 12 years and was a former board president.6Daily Voice. Longtime Manasquan School Board Member Drunkenly Crashed Car Into Home At a board meeting on March 19, 2026, less than two weeks after the crash, the board unanimously accepted his resignation. He was not present.7NJ1015. Manasquan Board Education Resignation
A prepared statement was read on his behalf: “After much reflection, I have decided to step down due to personal matters that now require my full attention. This is not something I do lightly, as this role and this community mean a great deal to me.” His attorney, Mitchell Ansell of Ansell, Grimm and Aaron, said Pellegrino “wishes to express how truly sorry he is for the terrible event,” was “remorseful,” and was “getting the help he needs.”4NJ.com. A NJ School Board Member Who Crashed His Jeep Into a Neighbor’s Living Room Has Resigned
Where the Case Stands
The case is being handled in Manasquan Municipal Court, with Judge Paul J. Capotorto presiding and Michael Rubas prosecuting.7NJ1015. Manasquan Board Education Resignation The prosecution extended a plea offer during the second week of May 2026.1Star News Group. Former BOE Member Facing DWI Charges to Accept Plea or Face Trial
At a June 17, 2026 appearance, Ansell told the court he had “full receipt” of discovery but had not had enough time to review the plea offer with his client. The prosecution asked for any mitigation materials within roughly six weeks. Judge Capotorto scheduled a pretrial conference for August 5, 2026 at 11 a.m., at which Pellegrino must either accept the plea or have the matter set for trial. The judge cited a Monmouth County directive requiring most DWI cases to be resolved within six months and noted the case was “moving a lot faster than most cases in this county.”1Star News Group. Former BOE Member Facing DWI Charges to Accept Plea or Face Trial
The terms of the plea offer have not been made public. As of the most recent reporting in June 2026, no plea had been entered and no trial date had been set.