On January 10th, 2020 at approximately 2121 hours, Officers were dispatched to the area of 600 Route 9 for a report of a vehicle that struck a pole. Upon arrival, officer’s observed the vehicle in the parking lot of CG Landscape Supply with a pole on top of it. Officers then made contact with the operator (Michael Longo 37 of Cream Ridge NJ ) who was pinned under the steering wheel. Officers also made contact with the passenger (Tabitha Gudehus 38 of Toms River NJ ) in the back seat of the vehicle.

It should be noted that due to damage sustained to the driver’s side door, Bayville Volunteer Fire Company had to extract him from the vehicle. Berkeley Township First Aid and Monoc Medics were on scene and evaluated Longo and Gudehus for injuries once out of the vehicle. Longo was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center due to injuries sustained to his left leg and Gudehus was transported to Community Medical Center with complaints of pain in her left ankle.

Preliminary Investigation indicates that Longo’s vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 9 when it crossed the northbound lane and struck A utility pole in front of Mike’s Foreign Car Repair. Two vehicle’s in the parking lot of Mike’s Foreign Car Repair also sustained damage. The vehicle then continued across both Lanes of Route 9 and struck a Verizon Pole in the parking lot of CG Landscape Supply. Traffic Safety Officer W. Black responded to the scene and conducted the crash investigation.

Further investigation indicTed that Longo was operating the vehicle while under the influence. Further, suspect heroin was located within the vehicle. Longo was being issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, CDS in a motor vehicle, and failure to maintain lane. Criminal charges are pending.

Any witnesses are encouraged to contact Berkeley Township Police Department Traffic Safety Office at 732-341-1132 x125 . Tips can be anonymous. Verizon and JCP&L both responded to the scene in reference to the incident. Both lanes of Route 9 were closed between Hickory Lane and Station Road.

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