Ocean County Man Arrested For Helping Suspect Flee Fatal Crash

 LAKEWOOD – A Township man has been arrested and charged for helping a driver flee the scene of a fatal car crash to avoid being arrested, officials said.

  Emmanuel Rodriguez-Galindo, 36, Lakewood was charged with Hindering the Apprehension of Another and Obstruction of Justice, in connection with a crash that occurred July 22 in Lakewood.

  Around 2:25 a.m., officers responded to a serious crash in the area of James Street involving a 2007 Honda Civic that had struck a utility pole.

  According to police, the driver had fled the scene of the crash and the passenger was found critically injured inside the car. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

  Authorities said that the Honda Civic was traveling westbound on James Street when it lost control and hit the utility pole on the passenger side door.

  Police determined that Angel Garcia-Rodriguez, 26, of Lakewood, was operating the car at the time of the crash, and that he had fled the scene before police arrived. He was later located in his home in Lakewood and taken into custody without incident.

  Garcia-Rodriguez was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Death and Endangering an Injured Victim. He was thereafter transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where a court authorized sample of his blood was taken. He was then transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.

  Further investigation revealed that Rodriguez-Galindo had picked up Garcia-Rodriguez after the crash and brought him to his home to avoid apprehension.

  Police determined that Rodriguez-Galindo knowingly concealed the whereabouts of Garcia-Rodriguez from law enforcement Officers.

  On July 27, Rodriguez-Galindo was taken into custody; he is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

  Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lakewood Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined 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.