BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Morning school traffic turned dangerous Tuesday when a Brick Township man fled from a police officer during a school zone enforcement operation, reaching speeds of 73 mph and nearly striking two crossing guards before leading officers on a foot chase through residential backyards.
The incident began shortly after 7 a.m. on Lanes Mill Road as Brick Township Police Traffic Safety Officer David Thergesen was monitoring traffic near Brick Memorial High School.
The officer spotted a vehicle stopped along the shoulder while students were being dropped off in an unsafe location.
When Officer Thergesen approached the driver, identified as 38-year-old Corey Goodwin of Brick, he also noticed the driver was not wearing a seat belt. The officer directed Goodwin to move his vehicle into the nearby Boland Field parking lot so the traffic stop could be completed safely.
Driver allegedly sped away instead of pulling over
Police said Goodwin initially activated his turn signal, appearing ready to comply. Instead, investigators say he suddenly accelerated northbound on Lanes Mill Road, crossed into the opposite lane, and passed other vehicles at a high rate of speed.
Authorities allege Goodwin came dangerously close to striking two uniformed school crossing guards who had traffic stopped for students.
Officer Michael Defluri, who was conducting radar enforcement nearby, recorded the vehicle traveling 73 mph.
Chase ended after suspect ran through neighborhoods
The pursuit ended when Goodwin stopped at a residence on Lanes Mill Road and allegedly fled on foot. Officers chased him through backyards near Sawmill Road and Creek Road before he crossed a creek and continued toward Greenwood Loop Road.
Responding officers ultimately caught and arrested him.
Goodwin was charged with eluding, aggravated assault on a police officer, hindering apprehension, and obstructing the administration of law. Police also discovered two outstanding warrants for his arrest and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, passing in a no-passing zone, failure to obey a police officer directing traffic, failure to comply with a police officer’s directions, and failure to stop for a crossing guard’s whistle.
He was later lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
The arrest comes as Brick Township police have stepped up enforcement around local schools following the recent fatal crash that claimed the life of a bicyclist in the area.
“This incident occurred as officers were actively enforcing traffic laws in and around our school zones to protect students, crossing guards, school personnel, and motorists,” the department said.
Police said they will continue aggressive school zone enforcement throughout the school year and reminded drivers to obey crossing guards, traffic officers, and posted speed limits.
