Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 21, 2024, John Marrone, 68, of Seaside Park, was charged with Causing Death or Injury While Driving with a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License, and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death, both in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River Township on July 21, 2024.
On July 21, 2024, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Route 166 and Old Freehold Road for a report of a pedestrian having been struck by a motor vehicle. Responding Officers determined that Gonzalo Jimenez-Hernandez, 48, of Toms River, stepped into the roadway and was struck by a motor vehicle. The victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced deceased.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that a black Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on Route 166; Mr. Jimenez-Hernandez stepped into the roadway and was struck by the Ford F-150, which then fled the scene. The truck that struck the victim was later located unoccupied in a nearby apartment complex. Through investigation, Detectives determined that the Ford F-150 was registered to Marrone. A short time later, Officers located Marrone – on foot – in the vicinity of the truck, and he was taken into custody without incident. Marrone was thereafter transported to Community Medical Center, where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. The results of the blood draw remain pending. Marrone was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).