By: Richard L. Smith
A Lake Hiawatha teen has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred Saturday evening in Toms River, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Authorities say 18-year-old Abel Mathukutty was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Death and Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Serious Bodily Injury following a two-car collision on May 24, 2025.
Around 7:25 p.m., officers from the Toms River Police Department responded to Route 37 eastbound, where a white Mercedes sedan had struck a utility pole.
The vehicle’s female driver and male passenger both sustained serious injuries and were taken to Community Medical Center. The woman later died from her injuries, while the man was transferred to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in critical condition.
A joint investigation by local and county law enforcement agencies determined that the Mercedes had been struck on the driver’s side by an Infiniti sedan, causing it to veer into the utility pole.
The Infiniti then fled the scene, continuing eastbound across the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge.
Shortly before 8:00 p.m., Seaside Park Police located a damaged Infiniti matching the description of the suspect vehicle.
The car had significant passenger-side damage and deployed airbags. Officers confirmed the vehicle was involved in the earlier crash and identified Mathukutty as the driver.
He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.