Serious Car Crash Leaves Man Partially Amputated

Photo courtesy Ocean County Scanner News


TOMS RIVER – A township resident is lucky to be alive after a serious car accident on Route 37 Saturday night left him with his arm partially amputated.

Toms River Township Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina told Jersey Shore Online that officers from the department were dispatched to the scene of a serious motor vehicle accident outside 3400 Route 37 shortly before 6 p.m.

According to the initial investigation, 38-year-old Gabriel S. Frigerio III was heading westbound on 37 near Pisces Restaurant when his vehicle left the roadway, struck a curb and a large decorative cleat at the base of the driveway of the eatery.

Police said that the force of the collision caused the vehicle to overturn onto its roof, slide across the driveway and strike the curb on the other side which caused the car to flip back onto its wheels. The vehicle then struck a large decorative chain in the parking lot before stopping.

Messina confirmed that Friegerio was entrapped in the vehicle and sustained a serious injury to his left arm and was partially amputated.

Officers Scott Devecka and Brian Elwood were the first on scene and observed that Friegerio was alert and conscious. Both officers were able to pull the victim out of the vehicle through the back door and Officer Devecka applied a tourniquet to Frigerio’s arm in order to stop the excessive bleeding.

Photo courtesy Ocean County Scanner News

Frigerio, who was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, told police that he was cut off by an unknown vehicle which caused him to veer off the roadway. In addition, there is no evidence to suggest that Frigerio was under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substance or that he was operating the vehicle while using a cell phone.

Frigerio was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and is now listed in stable condition.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI also responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer PJ Gambardella.

Ocean County Scanner News was on scene providing updates on social media and providing local media with photos.