Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Township Chief of Police Greg Meyer reported that a hit-and-run incident occurred on Tuesday, leaving a 35-year-old female cyclist with serious injuries. The accident happened around 7:15 p.m. at the intersection of Maplehurst Avenue and Cross Street in Lakewood Township.
According to investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the cyclist was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Cross Street. The vehicle then fled the scene. Emergency responders transported the victim to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she remains in critical condition.
The vehicle involved is believed to be a blue or silver Toyota or Lexus SUV, likely with front-end and bumper damage from the collision.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Those who may have witnessed the accident or seen a vehicle matching the description are asked to contact Detective Joseph Mitchell at the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (732-929-2027, ext. 3532) or Detective David Mercado at the Lakewood Township Police Department (732-363-0200).