R.B. court will decide drunken driving charges
Grand jury declines to indict Ansorge in fatal accident

RED BANK - The family of a man killed while crossing East Front Street last year is disappointed by a grand jury's decision not to bring charges against Claudia Ansorge, who was the driver of the vehicle, according to the attorney for the family of Robert F. Lisowsky.

"The Lisowsky family is very disappointed, but thanks Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Huth for his time and efforts in preparing and presenting the case," said John Koufos, attorney for the family of Lisowsky.

The Monmouth County grand jury declined to indict Ansorge, 63, on charges of hitting and killing Lisowsky, 59, with her vehicle last year as he was crossing East Front Street in Red Bank.

According to Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter Warshaw, a drunk driving summons issued to Red Bank publisher Ansorge will be sent back to Red Bank municipal court.

A court date had not been set as of Monday for Ansorge on the DUI case.

"As for future legal action, I've requested the investigative documents from the Prosecutor's Office and once I receive them, the family and I will review them to determine whether there will be a next step," said Koufos, an attorney who practices criminal law in Brick Township.

"As it stands she is still accused of drunk driving, and if convicted faces whatever penalty she faces. That would bear on any decision we make.

"I'm an attorney, but Peter is my best friend and I was the best man at his wedding," Koufos continued. "The family is emotionally in shambles aside from the grand jury determination because of what's happened. They are not, however, making any rash decisions.

"Ms. Ansorge deserves to have her day in court," he said.

Lisowsky, Brick, was a 25-year employee of Meridian Health and was returning to work when he was struck by Ansorge's car traveling westbound on East Front Street the night of April 19.

According to Koufos, details in the accident report indicate Lisowsky was not at fault.

"From the point of impact on the vehicle, it appears that Robert Lisowsky had nearly crossed the whole road," Koufos said, adding that a verbal report he received on the condition of Ansorge's vehicle indicated there was damage on the front driver's side.

"That indicates where Robert was coming from," Koufos said. "He crossed the street and had made it almost across the whole street when he was struck. Robert was entering the street. If he walked and bounced off the passenger side of her car, it would be much different."

Although the accident took place on April 19, Ansorge, owner of Ansorge Unlimited, Red Bank, and founder of the Two River Times, was not arrested until April 21, when Lisowsky died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He had been transferred to the trauma unit there.

Koufos said once he receives the investigative documents, he will discuss options with the family.

"Once we get all of the copies, then the family and I will sit down and they will decide whether they will file a wrongful death suit," he said.

"The real important thing here is, in a lot of these cases, I think, the victims merely want blood from the person who caused the pain. It's a credit to the Lisowsky family that they're not like that.

"They understand she [Ansorge] has a family as well. That's why they've been so cooperative and haven't called for action. They're very respectful of Ms. Ansorge. To be honest, it's a tragic incident. If she is guilty of driving drunk, the court will mete out the appropriate punishment."