LAKEWOOD – A 20-year-old man has been charged after hitting a man with his car and leaving the scene, officials said.
Brian Huerta-Tochihuitl of Jackson was charged with Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident Which Resulted in Serious Bodily Injury to Another Person, in connection with an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of June 16 in Lakewood Township
Around 12:30 a.m., officers responded to the area of Route 9 and First Street regarding a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
According to officials, a white four door sedan was traveling northbound on Route 9 when it hit a man who was attempting to cross Route 9 at the crosswalk. The white sedan continued northbound on Route 9 and left the scene.
The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries, and is presently listed in critical but stable condition, officials said.
Authorities later determined that the vehicle which struck the victim was a 2021 Kia K5, and identified Huerta-Tochihuitl as the driver at the time of the crash.
On June 20, Huerta-Tochihuitl surrendered himself to Lakewood Township Police Headquarters. Huerta-Tochihuitl was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending an appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
“I would like to thank the members of the community who came forward to assist law enforcement in this investigation,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Ocean County Department of Vehicle Services for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
