68-Year-Old Seaside Park Man Charged With Killing Pedestrian While Driving On The Revoked & Fleeing The Scene

Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 10:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

TOMS RIVER, NJ.- A 68-year-old Seaside Park, New Jersey man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with running down a pedestrian on Sunday in Toms River, who later died at a local hospital from injuries he sustained from being hit by a pickup truck.

     According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, on Sunday, following a swift-moving investigation, John Marrone, 68, of Seaside Park, was formally charged with Causing Death or Injury While Driving with a Suspended or Revoked Driver’s License; and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Resulting in Death.

     Both charges stem from an investigation that began on Sunday, July 21, 2024, when, shortly before 3:00 p.m., members of the Toms River Township Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle that fled the scene on Route 166 near Old Freehold Road in the Township.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a man, later identified as Gonzalo Jimenez-Hernandez, 48, of Toms River, New Jersey, having sustained life-threatening injuries. Mr. Jimenez-Hernandez was immediately transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased a short time later.

     The initial investigation by responding Police Officers determined that Mr. Jimenez-Hernandez stepped into the roadway and was struck by a motor vehicle.

     An ensuing and swift-moving investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Toms River Township Police Department determined that a Black Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling north on Route 166 when Mr. Jimenez-Hernandez stepped into the roadway and was struck by the truck, which then fled the scene.

     Police Officers and Detectives located the Black Ford F-150 unoccupied in the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex. After locating the Ford, Detectives learned that it was registered to Marrone. A short time later, Police Officers located Marrone walking on foot near the Ford pickup. 

     Marrone was then taken into custody without incident. Marrone was then transported to Community Medical Center, where he submitted to a court-authorized warrant to have his blood drawn. 

     Following the blood draw, Marrone was transported to the Ocean County Jail pending future court proceedings in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”