Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
Two recent motor vehicle accidents led to arrests for impaired driving in Toms River, police said Wednesday.
The first occurred over the holiday weekend on Saturday, Sept. 5 at approximately 7:10 p.m., when police officers were dispatched to a serious motorcycle crash at the intersection of Route 37 and Clifton Avenue.
Woodrow Carpenter, Jr., 61 of Toms River was operating a 1985 Harley-Davidson motorcycle along eastbound Route 37 approaching the intersection with Clifton Avenue. As he was approaching the intersection, Carpenter’s motorcycle struck a 2008 Mazda3 that was stopped for a red traffic signal. As a result, Carpenter was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.
During the course of the investigation, Carpenter was believed to be impaired at the time of the crash and was subsequently arrested, said police spokeswoman Jillian Messina.
Carpenter was listed in stable condition The crash remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer PJ Gambardella.
In a separate accident, on Sept. 8, officers were called to Route 37 near the intersection of St. Catherine Boulevard for a motor vehicle crash.
Michael Marsh, 38, of Brick, was traveling eastbound on Route 37 at 12:45 a.m. when he attempted to make a right turn onto St. Catherine Boulevard to travel south. Prior to making the turn, Messina said, Marsh struck the right curb, went up onto the grass and struck a “U-and-Left turn” and “St. Catherine North and South” street sign.
According to police, he continued east through the grass, striking a traffic light stanchion and then struck utility pole, causing to pole to snap at the base. Marsh then began traveling south onto St. Catherine Boulevard, where his vehicle came to rest on a utility pole guide wire.
Marsh did not report any injuries sustained in the crash, but he was found to be under the influence and was subsequently arrested, Messina said. He was charged with possession of hypodermic needles and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.
His vehicle was impounded as per John’s Law.
