On March 2nd at 7:38 pm police and medical units responded to the area of Route 37 and Hawser place for a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival they located Lovell Smith, 39, lying in the travel lane of Route 37. Smith, of South Toms River, was transported by medevac helicopter to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she remains in critical condition.

Traffic Officer Adam Koeppen determined that Ms. Smith was at the Pine Rest Motel and was dog sitting a friends pet. The dog broke free and ran into Route 37 where it was struck by a 2006 GMC Envoy. The driver of the GMC immediately stopped to check on the dog. Ms. Lovell then entered the roadway, presumably to check on the dog. She was subsequently struck by a 2003 Ford Explorer that was being driven westbound on Route 37. The driver of the Ford, Gary Meseroll, 53, had no opportunity to avoid the impact with the woman. Meseroll, of Toms River, had no signs of impairment and charges are not expected to be filed against him.

Assisting Officer Koeppen are members of the Toms River Traffic Safety Unit, Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit. The condition of the dog is not known at this time.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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