JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 47-year-old Spring Lake man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle crash that seriously injured a 16-year-old pedestrian, Aharon ben Sarah, in Jackson Township, authorities said.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Luke Ferrante was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury, along with possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with the same incident.
Police responded to the area of South New Prospect Road and Citadel Drive at approximately 12:15 p.m. after receiving a report that a pedestrian had been struck. Responding officers found the teenage victim with serious head injuries lying in the roadway. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and is currently listed in stable condition.
A short time later, officers were alerted to a Nissan Altima found on Valley Road, about a half-mile from the scene, where the driver was reportedly slumped over the steering wheel. Upon arrival, police observed extensive front-end damage on the vehicle and identified Ferrante as the driver.
Investigators determined that Ferrante had been traveling northbound on South New Prospect Road when he veered off the road, crossed the white line onto the gravel sidewalk, and struck the victim before leaving the scene. Ferrante was taken into custody without incident.
Blood draw ordered as investigation continues
During the arrest, officers found Ferrante in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later transported to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood, where authorities obtained a court-authorized blood sample. The results of the blood analysis are pending.
Ferrante was then taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains held pending a detention hearing.
