Toms River Police Car (File Photo)
Toms River police arrested a man for driving while intoxicated following an accident in which another vehicle was sideswiped near the entrance to the Garden State Parkway, police said in a statement.
The accident occurred Tuesday at about 4 p.m., said police spokeswoman Jillian Messina, near the Garden State Parkway South entrance ramp. A utility pole was reportedly down at the site.
Police found that Avery Murch, 25 of Weare, N.H., and Thomas Holl, 32 of Toms River, were both traveling south on the Garden State Parkway at the intersection of Route 37. Holl had entered the right lane to access the exit ramp as Murch, who was driving to his left, also attempted to access the right exit lane.
In the process, Messina said, Murch’s vehicle sideswiped Holl’s vehicle and then continued onto the exit ramp.
After reaching Route 37 eastbound, Murch’s vehicle exited the roadway to the right and struck a curb, then continued off the road and struck a street sign and, finally, a utility pole.
Police say Murch attempted to flee east on Route 37 but subsequently hit a cement wall under the overpass, causing his vehicle to become totally disabled.
Murch “was exhibiting signs of impairment,” the statement said, and was arrested and charged with DWI, and his vehicle was impounded as per John’s Law. He was also charged with reckless driving, driving with a revoked driver’s license, failure to report an accident, leaving the scene of property damage, and operating with drugs in the vehicle.
