Pharmaceutical Executive Charged in Fatal Crash

A pharmaceutical executive was charged with vehicular homicide on Wednesday following a fatal crash involving a former Olympic swimmer. Brian Bardari is accused of reckless driving and causing the death of Edwin Borja during the incident on March 7.

As reported by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Bardari was allegedly driving over 100 mph in the wrong direction on Route 70 when he struck Borja, who had represented the Philippines in the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. Borja, a graduate of LaSalle University, moved to the United States in 1971.

Following the collision, Bardari’s vehicle struck another car, leading to a multi-vehicle crash involving eight cars. Authorities from the Lakewood Township Police Department arrived at the scene around 5:50 AM. Bardari’s car reportedly caught fire after the crash, trapping him inside. He was rescued and airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, later transferring to a burn center in New York City. Borja was also airlifted to JSUMC but tragically succumbed to his injuries on March 18.

Prosecutor Bradley Bilhimer noted that Bardari is currently being held at Ocean County Jail in connection with the case. Bardari has been recognized in his field, having held executive positions at Azurity Pharmaceuticals and previously at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company and Novartis.

If convicted, Bardari faces a potential 50-year prison sentence.