By Chris Lundy and Jason Allentoff
TOMS RIVER – An online fundraiser has been started by family to help support the surgery and rehabilitation of a young man who is in danger of losing his arm after a crash.
On November 28, around 6 p.m., Gabriel Frigerio III was heading west across the bridge from Seaside when he was cut off by another vehicle, causing his vehicle to crash on Route 37 near Pisces Seafood Restaurant. He became trapped in his vehicle and almost lost his arm.
The GoFundMe was started by Christina Kokoth and Angela Suckiel. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/arm-reattatchmentamprehabilitation-for-crash-victim
“We are raising money for the family in care of for his long recovery to come,” they wrote. “As of now Gabriel is in a medically induced coma so that his arm can be reattached. There are many surgeries to come, as well as rehabilitation afterwards. The money will not only be going towards his surgeries and rehabilitation, but the care of his three children.”
The 38-year-old was able to talk to officers who responded, telling them how he was cut off by an unknown vehicle. Police reported that there was no sign of alcohol use or cell phone use. He was wearing a seatbelt.
According to the initial investigation, his vehicle left the roadway, struck a curb and a large decorative cleat at the base of the driveway of the eatery. Police said that the force of the collision caused the vehicle to overturn onto its roof, slide across the driveway and strike the curb on the other side which caused the car to flip back onto its wheels. The vehicle then struck a large decorative chain in the parking lot before stopping.
He became entrapped in the vehicle and sustained a serious injury to his left arm, which was almost destroyed.
Officers Scott Devecka and Brian Elwood were the first on scene and observed that Frigerio was alert and conscious. Both officers were able to pull the victim out of the vehicle through the back door and Officer Devecka applied a tourniquet to Frigerio’s arm in order to stop the excessive bleeding.
Frigerio was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI also responded to the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer PJ Gambardella.
Ocean County Scanner News was on scene providing updates on social media and providing local media with photos.
