LAKEWOOD, NJ – A teenage girl was critically injured in a car accident in Lakewood on Monday evening. According to sources, the accident took place shortly before 10:00 PM on Route 70 near Vermont Avenue.
The girl was struck by a vehicle and sustained critical injuries.
According to Officer Christopher Dunphy, who was exiting a convenience store nearby at the time, he heard a loud bang followed by screams and yelling that someone had been hit by a car. Rushing to the scene, Dunphy saw a 2006 white Lexus with significant damage to its front end and an unresponsive teenage girl lying on the ground behind it.
As Dunphy prepared his medical equipment, volunteers from Hatzolah EMS arrived on the scene and began to perform life-saving measures.
Despite their best efforts, the victim was transported to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Further investigation revealed that the driver of the white Lexus, a 19-year-old man from Toms River, was traveling west on Rt 70 when he struck the victim, who was walking south in the crosswalk at Vermont Avenue. The victim was with her mother and younger sister at the time of the accident.
The Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department are currently assisting with the investigation, and the driver of the 2006 Lexus is cooperating with law enforcement. At present, no charges have been filed.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The Lakewood Police Department is urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with any information they may have.