May 16, 2021 – MidJersey.News – reviewthickandthin.com

Bystanders applaud rescue workers and 14-year-old boy gives thumbs up after being pulled from underneath a vehicle on top of him.

May 16, 2021

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Around 5:20 p.m. the Lawrence Township Police Department, Lawrence Township Fire Department, Lawrence Township EMS and Capital Health Paramedics were dispatched for a pedestrian accident with person pinned under vehicle, reported unconscious.

Lawrence Township Police were first to arrive and were able to communicate with a conscious 14-year-old child that was pinned under the vehicle after being struck on his BMX bike at Brunswick Pike-Business Route 1 and Putnam Avenue . Lawrence Township Police officers kept the child calm and provided aid as Lawrence Township EMS and paramedics arrived.

The Lawrence Township Fire Department responded with three rescue engines and other vehicles. The fire chief reported “All hands working” as they set up rescue tools and air bags to lift the vehicle off the child. Special rescue airbags were set up on cribbing under the vehicle and as the vehicle was raised using air pressure it was stabilized to prevent further injuries.

After being pinned about 26 minutes under the vehicle, the child was freed about 5:46 p.m. As the boy was freed the bystanders that gathered applauded the police, fire and EMS workers that freed the child and thank them for their service.

Luckily the boy appeared to only have minor injuries such as cuts and scrapes, and was transported by Lawrence Township EMS and paramedics to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for evaluation. The boy was seen giving a “thumbs” up in one of the photographs after being pulled from underneath the vehicle.

One witness told MidJersey.news that the boy was able to communicate with his parents via cell phone from under the vehicle just after the accident happened. Another witness told MidJersey.news that the driver wanted to back off the child but knowing that would cause further harm bystanders were able to stop the vehicle before that happened and waited for the police and rescue workers to arrive.

This type of accident usually results in very tragic injuries and one police officer was overheard saying “I’ve never been so glad to talk to a 14-year-old boy.”

Lawrence Township Police were investigating the accident and were seen holding the bike that was broken in two pieces from the impact as part of the investigation process. Any witnesses to the accident should contact Lawrence Township Police Department.

Information provided is from on scene reporting and radio traffic, if official information is received the story will be updated and any corrections made. Check back for updates.

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

May 16, 2021

FREEHOLD, NJ (MONMOUTH)–A 19-year veteran police officer of the Long Branch Police Department has been suspended without pay after he was arrested and charged today with various offenses related to manufacturing and maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory at his home, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Christopher Walls, 50, of West End Avenue in the city, is charged with first degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) production facility, second degree possession of a firearm during the course of a CDS offense, second degree risking widespread injury, second degree endangering the welfare of a child, third degree manufacturing CDS (methamphetamine), and third degree possession of CDS (methamphetamine).

“Thanks to the swift action of our office, the Long Branch Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police, a very serious risk to public safety has been averted. The collaborative efforts of our agencies dismantled a very dangerous situation. It is particularly distressing that this hazard was caused by a sworn law enforcement officer.” Gramiccioni said.

After learning of the details involving Walls, Acting Long Branch Police Chief Frank Rizzuto immediately suspended him without pay.

“The officers in our agency risk their lives daily to protect and serve our residents. It is disappointing beyond measure that one of our officers could have risked the safety of his family and neighbors by engaging in such dangerous conduct. This officer’s actions do not reflect the moral compass of our officers or this agency,” Acting Chief Rizzuto said.

Long Branch police were called to Walls’ home on the 300 block of West End Avenue at about 10:36 p.m. last night for a domestic disturbance. While officers were on scene, another resident in the home alleged Walls was involved in suspicious narcotics activity. The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Hazmat Unit responded to the scene and located materials, chemicals and instruments consistent with a methamphetamine laboratory in both the basement of the residence and in a shed on the property. The NJSP Hazmat Unit confirmed that Walls was in possession of all ingredients necessary to manufacture methamphetamine and found methamphetamine residue in chemistry-related glassware on site. A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Responsibility and Narcotics

Units and the Long Branch Police Department revealed that Walls had been in possession of books related to making methamphetamine, explosives, and poison.

Additionally, a large open and unsecured gun safe was in the home which was accessible to a child living in the residence. Inside the gun safe were two long guns, four handguns, eight high- capacity magazines, and a large quantity of ammunition.

If convicted of Maintaining or Operating a CDS Production Facility, Walls faces a sentence of up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison.

If convicted of any of the second degree charges, Walls faces up to 10 years in state prison.

The third degree offenses carry a potential sentence of three to five years in state prison.

Walls was lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and is pending a detention hearing. He has been suspended from his position as a Long Branch Police Officer.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Detective Brian Hammarstrom of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-431-7160, extension 6413.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

May 16, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Just before 3:00 p.m. the Trenton Fire Department was dispatched for a house fire on Houghton Ave. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire on the third floor on the end house of a row of homes. Fire crews stretched an 1 3/4″ and advanced the line up the stairs to the seat of the fire. A backup line and a supply line was also placed in service. Fire crews quickly knocked down the fire and kept the fire from spreading to attached homes saving the block. Firefighters remained on scene for overhaul.

No further information is available about the fire.

Photos by Brian McCarthy, OnScene News

May 16, 2021

By: Colin McCormick

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–At 11:59 a.m. the Hamilton Township Fire Department was dispatched to 2400 Block of Nottingham Way/Rt. 33 between Grayson and Concord Avenues for a motor vehicle accident for a vehicle into a utility pole with entrapment and live wires down on the vehicle.

When the firefighters arrived, fire crews found a pickup truck cut a pole in half with the pole on top of the truck with power lines down. Luckily, no one was trapped, and the drive was able to self-extricate without being electrocuted. It was reported one person was transported to RWJ University Hospital by RWJ EMS.

The fire department notified PSE&G to respond to the incident. Hamilton Township Fire Police were requested to the scent to direct traffic.

No other information is available about the incident.

May 16, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Homicide Task Force is investigating a shooting death that occurred Saturday evening in Trenton. Just before 11 p.m., Trenton police responded to the area of North Hanover and Stockton on reports of a male shot and a motor vehicle accident. Arriving officers found the victim, later identified as David Williams, 36, shot. After being extricated from the vehicle by the Trenton Fire Department, he was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.

An adult female passenger in the car was uninjured from the shooting, however, she was taken to the hospital for injuries from the accident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mercer County Homicide Task Force at (609) 989-6406. Information can also be emailed to [email protected]

Related MidJersey.news story here:

5/21/2021 UPDATE: Trenton Man Arrested for Saturday Murder of David Williams

Fatal Shooting With Vehicle Crash Leaves 36 Year Old Man Dead, Woman Injured