Drugs Played Part In Multi-Vehicle Crash Wednesday

(Photo courtesy Toms River Police Department)
(Photo courtesy Toms River Police Department)

TOMS RIVER – A Seaside Heights man has been charged in connection to a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday at Routes 37 and 166.

Toms River Police said Victor Spinelli, 58, was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failing to Observe a Traffic Control Device, Leaving the Scene of a Collision with injury and Failure to Report a Collision. In addition, Spinelli was charged with Assault by Auto, and Driving Under the Influence of CDS.

He was driving westbound on Route 37 at a high rate of speed when his vehicle entered entered the eastbound lanes and the sidewalk before entering the intersection at Route 166 through a red traffic light.

His vehicle slammed into a vehicle, causing that vehicle to hit two other vehicles from the opposite direction.

Spinelli abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. An off-duty officer from Franklin Township, assisted by Toms River Police, was able to subdue Spinelli, who was taken to Community Medical Center for evaluation. He was not injured during the arrest.

Traffic was backed up in the area for 40 minutes.

Toms River Police continue to investigate the accident.