Brick Police are seeking the public’s assistance this evening in locating a driver which fled after striking a pedestrian. The pedestrian was attempting to cross Lanes Mill Road approximately 450 feet south of Burnt Tavern Road at about 5:43 p.m., when a vehicle traveling south on Lanes Mill Road in the outside right lane struck the pedestrian in the outside right travel lane.

After being struck, the pedestrian, 68 year old James Joseph Cox, came to rest in the right lane. The vehicle slowed briefly before continuing to leave the scene of the crash heading south on Lanes Mill Road, police say. A witness stopped and tended to the pedestrian who was lying in the roadway.

Officer Crimi and Sgt. Matthews were the first arriving units on scene. Several other units later arrived to assist. The Brick Township Police Department’s Emergency Medical Services along with MONOC Paramedics responded to the scene. The pedestrian was stabilized before being transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (J.S.U.M.C.), Neptune, NJ. The victim sustained multiple serious injuries and is listed in Critical Condition. 

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a dark Red Nissan 4-door Sedan; Possibly Altima or Sentra model; 2005 model year or newer. The vehicles should have front end damage to possibly include grill, hood and windshield

Southbound traffic on Lanes Mill Road was detoured at Burnt Tavern Road due to the investigation. One lane of northbound Lanes Mill Road traffic was closed in the area of the crash. Traffic was detoured in the area for approximately 2-1/2 hours.

Officer Jay Lampiasi and Sergeant David G. Bedrosian of the Brick Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit responded and are conducting the crash investigation.

Also responding was Detective David Margentino from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit. Members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit also responded to assist.

The cause of the crash is pending further investigation at this time. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, or with information regarding the vehicle and driver that fled the scene, is asked to contact Officer Jay Lampiasi at 732-262-1141, or Detective David Margentino at 732-929-2027, extension 2946. [TLS]