An 18-year-old driver from Lake Hiawatha has been indicted in connection with a May crash in Toms River that killed one person and seriously injured another.

Authorities say that on May 24, 2025, at about 7:25 p.m., an Infiniti sedan driven by Abel Mathukutty struck a white Mercedes on the driver’s side along Route 37 eastbound, forcing it into a utility pole. The Mercedes was driven by Deborah Barone, 59, of Toms River, with her husband Michael, 64, in the passenger seat.

Both sustained serious injuries. Deborah Barone was taken to Community Medical Center, where she died. Michael Barone was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, treated, and later released.

Police say Mathukutty fled the scene, continuing east over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge. A short time later, Seaside Park police stopped a heavily damaged Infiniti matching the suspect’s description. Mathukutty was taken into custody without incident and initially charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death and serious injury. He was later released under New Jersey bail reform guidelines.

A further investigation revealed Mathukutty was traveling 76 mph in a 50-mph zone. On June 11, 2025, he was additionally charged with Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto.

He is awaiting court appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.