JACKSON — A Point Pleasant man who sustained nonlife-threatening injuries when he was struck by a moving vehicle will face a jaywalking charge, according to police.
On the evening of Nov. 8, Jackson officers Robert Reiff and Craig Lindenberg were traveling west on East Veterans Highway near May Boulevard when they saw a small brush fire on the opposite side of the road, according to police.
In order to investigate the fire, the officers turned their vehicle around and headed east. Shortly after making the turn, the officers came upon a man lying in the road. A 2005 Toyota Tercel was stopped nearby.
The injured man, whom police did not name, had been struck by the car moments earlier. Police identified the man as being 50 years old and from Point Pleasant. The Toyota was being driven by a 30-year-old Brick Township man whom police did not name.
The Jackson First Aid Squad and MONOC paramedics responded to the scene, and the injured man was flown via helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.
The Toyota was damaged on its front passenger side and was towed from the scene.
Police said an initial investigation determined the man had been walking on a dimly lit portion of East Veterans Highway and wandered into the lane of travel. He was described as wearing dark clothing.
Police said the driver of the Toyota attempted to avoid the pedestrian, but was unable to do so. The pedestrian was subsequently ticketed for jaywalking.
An investigation into the pedestrian incident and the brush fire are ongoing to determine if there is a connection between the two.
Officers Brad Reider, Donald Lasko, Sean Greenberger, Jeff Henba, Greg Schmidt and Sgt. Mary Nelson assisted Lindenberg and Reiff with the investigation and traffic control. Firefighters from Jackson Fire Station 57 also responded to the scene.