SEASIDE HEIGHTS – An 10-year-old boy remains in stable condition at a shore area trauma center after he was injured by a speeding driver while he was on a bicycle, police said. The accident was an attempted hit-and-run but the authorities were able to arrest the North Jersey man shortly after the incident.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed that 19-year-old Giancarlos Fernandez of Hasbrouck Heights, was charged with Assault by Auto and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash with Serious Injuries.
In a news release, the Prosecutor’s Office said the crash happened on Friday, May 26 a little after 6:30 p.m.
Seaside Heights Police responded to the area of Barnegat Avenue and Freemont Avenue for a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle. Responding Officers discovered that a 2012 Infinity G37, being operated by Fernandez, was traveling west on Freemont Avenue at a high rate of speed when he struck the 10-year-old boy riding his bicycle.
Upon impact, the boy became embedded in the windshield of the vehicle and was eventually thrown to the pavement.
He was air lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of serious injuries.
Following the crash, Fernandez exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by Seaside Heights Police Department Detectives a few blocks away.
Once apprehended, Seaside Heights Police administered standardized field sobriety tests to Fernandez.
Fernandez was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where a warrant was obtained for a draw of his blood. Fernandez was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Seaside Heights Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their assistance in this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and 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. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
