Ocean County, NJ, man charged in Toms River fatal hit-and-run crash

An Ocean County man has been arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run accident in Toms River Sunday afternoon.

Authorities say 68-year-old John Marrone of Seaside Park has been 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.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, just before 3:00 Sunday afternoon, July 21st, officers with the Toms River Township Police Department were called to the area of Route 166 and Old Freehold Road where they determined 48-year-old Gonzalo Jimenez-Hernandez of Toms River had stepped into traffic and was struck by a vehicle. He was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was pronounced dead.

According to officials, an investigation found that a black Ford F-150 truck was traveling northbound on Route 166 when it struck Jimenez-Hernandez and then fled the scene.

That truck, which was registered to Marrone, was later located unoccupied in a nearby apartment complex.

A short time later, officers located Marrone near the truck and he was taken into custody without incident.

Marrone was taken to Community Medical Center where a draw of his blood was obtained under a court-authorized warrant. The results of that blood draw remain pending. He was then taken to the Ocean County Jail where he is being held pending initial court proceedings.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.