Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
Toms River police say a pedestrian was struck downtown Wednesday afternoon while crossing Washington Street outside of a designated crosswalk.
Police were called to the intersection of Hooper Avenue and Washington Street at about 1:15 p.m., said police spokeswoman Jillian Messina. Upon police arrival, EMS units were already working on the patient, who sustained head trauma and was “semi-conscious,” the statement said. She was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition.
The initial investigation, police said, revealed that the woman was crossing Hooper Avenue near the intersection of Washington Street, outside of the crosswalk, when she was struck by a vehicle being driven by Anthony Jonin, 18 of Beachwood, who was making a left turn from Washington Street with a green arrow. Witnesses stated that the woman crossed against the “Do Not Cross” signal, and had an umbrella over her head, which may have obstructed her view of turning vehicles, Messina said.
The accident is under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen. No summons have been issued. Assisting at the scene were multiple sheriff’s officers, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as, the Ocean County Sheriff’s CIU.
