LITTLE EGG HARBOR: Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 1, 2021, Michael Pillarella, 26, of Manahawkin, was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), and two counts of Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2), relative to a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Little Egg Harbor Township during the evening hours of January 30, 2021.
On January 30, 2021, at approximately 9:45 p.m., officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the area of Radio Road and Baltusrol Court for a report of a two-vehicle crash with serious injuries. An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Little Egg Harbor Police Department revealed that a 2017 Hyundai Elantra, operated by Pillarella, was traveling northbound on Radio Road when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, crossed over the centerline, and struck an oncoming 2006 Toyota XB travelling southbound on Radio Road. The Toyota XB was operated by a juvenile, and there was also a juvenile passenger in the vehicle. As a result of the crash, both juveniles sustained serious injuries and were subsequently airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where they remain listed in critical condition.
Pillarella was airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Trauma Center in Atlantic City for treatment of his injuries from the crash. A search warrant was obtained for a draw of Pillarella’s blood, and laboratory results remain pending. Pillarella was treated and released from the hospital, and was initially issued motor vehicle summonses for Reckless Driving in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-96, and Failure to Maintain Lane in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-88 on January 31, 2021.
An ongoing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Little Egg Harbor Police Department has resulted in the filing of additional charges against Pillarella for Aggravated Assault and Assault by Auto – two counts as to each offense relating to both juvenile victims. Pillarella was taken into custody today without incident by officers from the Little Egg Harbor Police Department. He was processed at Little Egg Harbor Police Headquarters, and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in Pillarella’s arrest.
The press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
I don’t understand, was he intoxicated? Something has to be going on for him to be charged the way he was, usually doesn’t happen in accidents, that’s why the call them accidents.
Michael Connolly Dennis because he used to be is/was a drug addict and had a lot of other offenses is my guess.
Michael Connolly Dennis it says they are awaiting results.
Michael Connolly Dennis it’s because the other person was injured and they are probably serious injuries and I only know that cause I was involved in a car accident and had really bad injuries and the person that was driving that injured me got charged with assault by auto
Michael Connolly Dennis my understanding is the TWO juveniles are STILL in critical condition so this was more than just momentarily crossing the line
Niki Jimenez hit it on the head. The dudes a lost cause
Michael Connolly Dennis I know the day the action and happened they got a warrant for his blood work and shed possible charges are pending so evidently he had either drugs or alcohol in his system and that’s why hes being charged rightfully so from what I understand the 2 teenagers are in serious condition fighting for their life
Apparently he had a prior Hit and Run in Lacey Township in 2016 according to other sources and people coming forward with his past and wreckless intentions and disregard for others. This isn’t his first crash apparently .
Not his 1st assualt by auto.
Joseph Clappsy Sr. The guys a piece of shit no doubt, I was just wondering why they charged him.
JimnKylnn Sieber you can’t charge someone based off of their past, I was just wondering why they charged him, they didn’t give a reason. He must have done something illegal purposely in order to charge him, they don’t usually charge people like that for a normal accident, I was just wondering why they didn’t mention the reason for the charges.
Michael Connolly Dennis, I think you’re looking for answers that haven’t been provided for anyone yet. And not for nothing this kid flies up and down our block everyday and lives two blocks over , so he is wreckless on the road.
Michael Connolly Dennis awaiting the blood results
Ali Manzella two juveniles were critically hurt the driver was a juvenile and the passenger
Michael Connolly Dennis toxicology hasn’t come back yet but reports are that yes he was drunk
Michael Connolly Dennis a quick google search (from 2015): https://patch.com/new-jersey/barnegat-manahawkin/walmart-shoplifters-flee-store-later-arrested-drug-charges-0?fbclid=IwAR1DF5z5cFhxuGECWt4gTIwx3DAahqpUMcvPKncg07jPMdNKTiRVB93dGfA
Also another one from 2016: https://patch.com/new-jersey/lacey/lacey-police-charge-manahawkin-man-assault-auto-police-chief
Mike Zió thanks for the info, still doesn’t answer my question.
Michael Connolly Dennis he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so I’m going to say they found drugs in the car and/or he was visibly drunk/high. They wouldn’t just charge him with it if there wasn’t solid proof of either.
He has shoplifting and a hit and run on his record.
Sean Cranmer and a catch and release program for wannabe tough guys like this
Pillar of the community.
Not the first time for this person ????Pray for the two young girls fighting for life and pray for their families ????
Prayers
Just a few years ago, he fled an accident while driving on a suspended license. Now he puts two teenagers in shock trauma and one of them will probably die. He’s a bag of shit, give him life.
He should pay dearly for the horror he caused.
Austin Allan I had a feeling it was related to something like this ????
https://patch.com/new-jersey/barnegat-manahawkin/walmart-shoplifters-flee-store-later-arrested-drug-charges-0?fbclid=IwAR0t2DDNb6SUD8Ay3WNMwrQe6ZOJ1uwEF92aVA-pffhDbt5m7aNANPQm_DE
Covid and Trump
Pamela Pete what the hell does Covid and Trump have to do with this.
Pamela Pete
Pamela Pete
Pamela Pete
Marlaina Catherine
Niki Jimenez Jesus ????
He a scumbag
What a winner
Great job..get this scum off the roads..glad they charged him even before the lab tests come back.. we need more cops with backbones like these
Prayers to those two young lives.
Wonder what they found out.
Prayers for the teenagers and their families.
Prayers to the 2 young girls and their families
He looks completely arrogant
Amanda Andrew
Suzanne Guarino what a jerk
Put him in general pop and let the inmates have a field day with him.
Don’t see how they arrested him without the toxicology results. If he was intoxicated, or driving excessively fast, he deserves the charges.
Rob Pompilio I can only imagine what they may have found in his car. Maybe he wreaked etc…..
Rob Pompilio They don’t need the results for the arrest. It’s didn’t say he was arrested for DUI, but they did get a warrant for blood tests.
I heard he’s already done this b4 and was driving without a license.
Bidens fault
Do the crime, do the time.
Oh I’m sure his parents are so proud right now. I hope his ass is still sitting in jail.