Last evening just before 10 pm, Officer Christopher Dunphy was exiting a convenience store located on Rt 70 when he heard what he described as a loud bang followed by yelling and screaming that someone was just struck by a car.
Officer Dunphy entered his marked patrol car and located a 2006 white Lexus with heavy front end damage at the intersection of Rt 70 and Vermont Avenue. He then observed an unresponsive teenage female lying in the roadway behind the vehicle. While Officer Dunphy was gathering his medical equipment, volunteers from Hatzolah EMS arrived on scene and began to perform life saving measures. The 15 year old victim was transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
Further investigation revealed that the operator of the white Lexus, a 19-year-old Toms River man, was traveling west on Rt 70 when he struck the victim who was walking south in the crosswalk at Vermont Avenue. She was with her mother and younger sister at the time of the incident.
At this time, the investigation is still active with the assistance of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. The driver of the 2006 Lexus is cooperating with law enforcement. No charges have been filed at this time.