September 13, 2022
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Monday, September 12, 2022, at approximately 2:20 PM, police units were dispatched to Hooper Avenue, just north of Washington Street, for a reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Roseann Macchiarelli, 52 of Seaside Heights was traveling north on Hooper Avenue when she struck pedestrian Jessica Descafano, 33 of Forked River, who entered traffic attempting to cross Hooper Avenue mid-block.Ms. Descafano was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical University in Neptune due to the extent of her injuries where she is listed in critical, but stable, condition. Ms. Macchiarelli was issued citations for being an unlicensed driver, and charged with Causing Injury While Unlicensed, as well as being arrested for an active warrant.
The accident remains under investigation by Traffic Safety Officers Bob Westfall and Ryan Fitzgerald. Also assisting at the scene was the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.