On Wednesday May 29, 2019 at approximately 5:25 PM multiple police units were dispatched to the corner of Route 37 and Route 166 for a multicar motor vehicle accident. In addition, it was reported that the driver that caused the collision was attempting to flee west on Route 37 E near Shop Rite.

The on-scene investigation revealed that driver Kenneth J Spinelli, 58 of Seaside Heights, had been traveling westbound on Route 37 E at an extremely high rate of speed.  The vehicle ultimately entered the extreme right lane on Route 37 E while approaching Route 166. The vehicle left the roadway and drove upon the sidewalk before entering the intersection through a red traffic signal. Mr. Spinelli’s vehicle slammed into a northbound Route 166 vehicle. The collision caused the impacted vehicle to enter the southbound lanes of Route 166 and struck two additional vehicles that had been stopped at a red traffic signal.

After causing the collision, Mr. Spinelli fled on foot westbound on Route 37. Off duty Franklin Township Police Officer Brian Quigley witnessed the accident and was able to subdue the driver, as well as Toms River Police Chief Mitchell Little and Officer Ryan Gashlin. Mr Spinelli appeared to be under the influence of CDS. He was not injured during the incident and was taken Community Medical Center for evaluation.

Mr. Spinelli was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failing to Observe a Traffic Control Device, Leaving the Scene of a Collision with Iinjury and Failure to Report a Collision. In addition, the defendant was charged with Assault by Auto, and Driving Under the Influence of CDS.

The accident is being investigated by Traffic Safety Officer Robert Westfall and Traffic Safety Officer David Bartoshek.  Assisting on scene were Patrolman Christopher Inglis, Patrolman Ryan Gashlin and Patrolman Ryan Cummings.  Traffic was backed up on Route 166 southbound for approximately 40 minutes.

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