TOMS RIVER — An 18-year-old from Lake Hiawatha has been indicted in connection with a May crash in Toms River that killed one person and seriously injured another, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Thursday.
A grand jury indicted Abel Mathukutty on charges of vehicular homicide, assault by auto, leaving the scene of a crash causing death, and leaving the scene of a crash causing serious bodily injury.
Authorities said Mathukutty was driving an Infiniti sedan eastbound on Route 37 on May 24 when he struck a Mercedes on the driver’s side, forcing it into a utility pole. The crash killed Deborah Barone, 59, and seriously injured her husband, Michael Barone, 64, both of Toms River.
Investigators determined Mathukutty fled the scene, continuing over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge before being stopped by Seaside Park police. Officers noted heavy passenger-side damage and deployed airbags in the vehicle, which was confirmed to be the one involved in the crash.
A subsequent investigation revealed Mathukutty was driving 76 mph in a 50 mph zone at the time of the collision. He was initially charged with leaving the scene of a crash and later charged with vehicular homicide and assault by auto.
Billhimer credited Senior Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano and multiple law enforcement agencies for their work on the case.
