TOMS RIVER: On Sunday, January 17th, 2021, at approximately 8:00 PM police units were dispatched to the intersection of Bay Ave (CR 571) @ Tanglewood Rd for reports of a motor vehicle accident with two utility poles damaged. Wilfredo Flores, 47 of Toms River, was traveling east on Bay Avenue. While negotiating a curve in the roadway, he allegedly answered a call on his cellular phone. As a result, Mr. Flores swerved off the roadway to the right hitting a curb and a utility pole. This impact split the pole in half and subsequently damaged a second pole due to excessive wire tension. After impact, Mr. Flores fled east and was subsequently stopped by a concerned citizen. Mr. Flores was arrested and charged with DWI following an on-scene investigation into his sobriety.

Several neighborhoods on the east side of town were without power throughout the night while Verizon and JCP&L worked to repair the damaged poles. The downed primaries ignited two brush fires that were quickly extinguished by Toms River Fire Companies 1 and 2. Traffic Lights were out between Vaughn & Indian Hill, along Bay Ave as a result of the accident.

Mr. Flores was charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Failure to Report an Accident, Unregistered Vehicle, and a Cell Phone Violation. The vehicle was impounded as per John’s Law. The accident is being investigated by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Robert Westfall.