El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en junio 3, 2025, Luke Ferrante, 47, of Spring Lake, was charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury relative to a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Jackson Township on June 3, 2025. Ferrante was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in connection with the same incident.
En Junio 3, 2025, aproximadamente a 12:15 pm., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the intersection of South New Prospect Road and Citadel Drive for a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle. Responding Officers located a 16-year-old male victim with apparent serious head injuries lying in the roadway. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he is listed in stable condition.
While at the scene, Officers received a second call reporting that a male driver was slumped over the steering wheel of a Nissan Altima located on Valley Road – approximately one-half mile north of the crash site. Upon their arrival, Officers observed that the Nissan had significant front end damage. Officers also found the driver, later identified as Ferrante, slumped over the steering wheel of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Ferrante was traveling northbound on South New Prospect Road when he crossed over the white line onto the gravel sidewalk, struck the victim who was walking on the side of the roadway, and then drove away.
Ferrante was taken into custody at the scene without incident. During a search of Ferrante subject to his arrest, he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia.
En desarrollo de la investigación, Ferrante was transported to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood, donde se obtuvo una extracción de sangre de conformidad con una orden autorizada por el tribunal. Los resultados de la extracción de sangre siguen pendientes. Ferrante was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, donde se encuentra actualmente en espera de una audiencia de detención.
El Fiscal Billhimer elogia a la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean- Vehicular Homicide Squad and Jackson Township Police Department for their combined efforts in connection with this investigation.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).