K-9 Team Captures Man Who Fled Crash Scene in Toms River

Toms River Patrol Officer Anthony Carafa and K-9 Ranger. (Toms River Police Department)

K-9 Team Captures Man Who Fled Crash Scene in Toms River

After fleeing a head-on collision on Route 37 that injured three people in Toms River on Monday night, a Manchester man is being held, according to authorities.

Following the collision, which occurred at 8:30 p.m., a Toms River Police K-9 unit discovered Andrew Gajewski, 30, hiding in the woods close to Route 37 and Batchelor Street, according to Ocean County Prosecuto's Office.

Authorities claim that Gajewski struck a 2021 GMC Acadia head-on while speeding and driving a 2022 Ford F-150 pickup truck on the wrong side of the road.

Authorities added that the unidentified driver of the Acadia was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was declared stable. Authorities claimed that a passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the F-150 were both hurt. They were both transported to Community Medical Center, where they received treatment before being discharged.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gajewski assaulted the dog and physically resisted arrest before getting out of his truck and running to the woods, where he was apprehended. The Toms River PBA identified the K-9 unit as K-9 Ranger and Patrol Officer Anthony Carafa.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gajewski is being treated for injuries sustained during his arrest at Community Medical Center.

According to the prosecutor's office, officers observed Gajewski showing signs of intoxication, and a court-approved blood sample was taken for analysis.

Gajewski is accused of resisting arrest, harming an animal utilized by law enforcement, leaving the scene of a car accident that caused significant bodily harm, and three charges of assault by auto. The severity of Ranger's injuries was not disclosed by the prosecutor's office.

According to authorities, he has also been charged with other motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, careless driving, failing to maintain lane, leaving the scene of an accident that causes injuries, and failing to report an accident.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gajewski is still being kept at Community Medical Center. After being released from the hospital, he will be transported to the Ocean County Jail and detained until a detention hearing.

This investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.