Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
A bicyclist remains in critical conditions at a local hospital from injuries sustained during what police described as a hit-and-run crash over the weekend that led to the arrest of a motorist.
The incident occurred Sunday at 8:51 p.m. when multiple Toms River police officers were dispatched to James Street near Berry Street in reference to a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist.
According to police spokeswoman Jillian Messina, Anthony Cipolletti, 29, of Bayville, was traveling west on James Street when he hit the bicyclist, identified as Vicente Guzman, 37, of Toms River, head on.
Guzman landed in the eastbound lane of travel on James Street after he had been struck, Messina said. After impact, police say Cipolletti briefly stopped but then ultimately fled the scene without reporting the collision. Approximately 20 minutes after the collision, Cipolletti returned to the scene of the collision on his way to his next destination.
The impact caused visible damage to the front end and windshield of Cipolletti’s vehicle, according to police.
Guzman was transported via helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center due to serious bodily injury, where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
Cipolletti was cited for DWI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident with injures, failure to report an accident, having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, driving with a suspended license, being an unlicensed driver, as well as additional charges.
The accident is being investigated by Toms River Police Traffic Safety Officer Robert Westfall.
