TOMS RIVER: On Saturday March 13, at approximately 4:55 PM police units were dispatched to the intersection of Hooper Ave and Washington Street for a reported motor vehicle accident. Thomas P. Zimmerman, 19 of Brick, was traveling in the left lane of southbound Hooper Avenue, when he crossed over the double yellow lines striking an on-coming Toyota Corolla head-on.

As a result of the collision, a rear passenger in the Toyota sustained severe head trauma and was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center. The driver and another passenger in the Toyota were also transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center via ambulance for non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Zimmerman was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment and observation. Mr. Zimmerman stated that he was practicing a deep breathing techniques and may have “blacked out” prior to the crash. There was no indication of impairment or cell phone use. Mr. Zimmerman gave consent to submit blood samples to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office pending toxicological testing for intoxicants. He also voluntarily consented to the searching of his cell phone and vehicle by Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

At this time, it is believed that the serious head injuries sustained to the rear passenger of the Toyota is due to failure to properly wear a seat belt. This crash remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer PJ Gambardella and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit.