Authorities seek man for involvement in motorcycle accident

A 36-year-old driver from Toms River is being sought following a highway accident with a motorcycle in early June in Jackson, New Jersey. The man faces several serious charges, including knowingly providing a false identity to police officers at the scene of the accident.

According to the Ocean County prosecutor, the driver caused the midday motorcycle accident when he made an illegal U-turn. Both motorcycle riders were seriously injured when they hit the side of the man’s van as it was turning and were thrown into the roadway.

The two victims — a man and a woman — have been in critical condition at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center for more than a week.

The driver of the van was not injured. He provided a false identity to police officers, identifying himself as his half-brother. Once police returned to their station, they discovered the deception and began searching for the driver. They have been asking the general public for help in establish his whereabouts.

Criminal complaints have been sworn out against the man for obstruction, unsworn falsification, filing a false police report, hindering apprehension and causing injury while driving on a suspended license.

As this case most likely demonstrates, a single instance of neglect can have catastrophic consequences such as an accident that causes injuries or death and damages or destroys property.

Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable in any accident because they are relatively unprotected and can be easily thrown into traffic, roadway hazards or obstructions or under other vehicles.

In this case, the victims of the accident will probably face large medical bills. More than likely they will file for a personal injury lawsuit to recover the costs of treatment, medication, lost wages and any required ongoing therapy.

Source: The Star-Ledger, “Toms River man sought after allegedly providing false ID after serious Jackson crash,” Seth Augenstein, June 13, 2013