Toms River Hit-And-Run: Victims Named as Driver Faces More Charges

Teen Charged After Fatal Hit-And-Run on Route 37

Toms River Hit-And-Run: Victims Named as Driver Faces More Charges

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday that a Morris County man has been charged with vehicular murder in connection with a hit-and-run accident on Route 37 that killed a Toms River woman on May 24 as a result of the speed at which he was driving.

According to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Abel Mathukutty, 18, of Lake Hiawatha, has also been charged with assault by automobile in connection with the collision that killed Deborah Barone, 59, and serioulsy injured Michael Barone, 64.

At the time of the collision, Mathukutty was traveling at 76 mph on Route 37. He was first charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash that resulted in death and with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash that caused serious bodily injury, according to Billhimer. 50 mph is the posted speed limit on Route 37.

The collision occurred on Route 37's eastbound lanes entering Seaside Heights, immediately west of the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge.

Mathukutty struck the driver's side of a Mercedes automobile while operating an Infiniti sedan, according to investigators. Mathukutty fled across the bridge into Seaside Heights after the Mercedes struck a power pole, according to the prosecutor's office.

Deborah Barone, who was driving, and Michael Barone were both seriously injured and transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River. Deborah Barone passed away. According to the prosecutor's office, Michael was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and has since been discharged.

A description of the Infiniti was broadcast to surrounding towns, the prosecutor's office said, and Seaside Park police officers pulled over one matching the description about 8 p.m.

Seaside Park police noted the vehicle had sustained heavy passenger-side damage and that the airbags in the vehicle had inflated, and determined it was the Infiniti that had been involved in the Route 37 crash, the prosecutor's office said.

Mathukutty was brought to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River after being apprehended without incident. According to jail records, he was first detained but has since been freed. According to the prosecutor's office, he received a summons with the new accusations at Toms River police headquarters.