Ocean County Man Arrested In Fatal Pedestrian Crash

TOMS RIVER – A local man has been arrested and charged after fatally hitting a pedestrian with his car and leaving the scene, officials said.

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 on July 21.

Around 2:50 p.m., officers responded to the area of Route 166 and Old Freehold Road regarding a pedestrian who was struck by a motor vehicle.

The pedestrian, Gonzalo Jimenez-Hernandez, 48, of Toms River, had stepped into the roadway and was struck by a car. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced deceased, officials said.

It was later discovered that Jimenez-Hernandez was hit by a black Ford F-150 that was traveling northbound on Route 166. After fleeing the scene, the truck was found unoccupied in a nearby apartment complex.

Authorities determined that the Ford F-150 was registered to Marrone and soon found him on foot in the vicinity of the truck. Subsequently, he was taken into custody without incident.

Marrone was thereafter transported to Community Medical Center, where a draw of his blood was obtained. The results of the blood draw remain pending. Marrone was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended 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 are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.