JACKSON – A 22-year-old motorcyclist died and the 24-year-old driver of a vehicle was injured in a July 5 motor vehicle accident in Jackson.
At 10:20 p.m., Jackson police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit responded to the area of South New Prospect Road and Oak Drive to investigate a collision that police said was witnessed by an officer.
With assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI Unit and a review of the patrol unit’s mobile video recorder, an investigation determined a 2004 Yamaha 999 motorcycle was traveling east on Brewers Bridge Road approaching South New Prospect Road when a Jackson marked patrol unit observed the driver allegedly fail to stop for a red traffic signal.
The motorcycle driver was subsequently identified as Anthony Griffin, 22, of Jackson.
Police said Griffin drove through the red light without stopping and turned right to head south on South New Prospect Road. The Jackson police officer followed Griffin and activated his vehicle’s overhead lights to initiate a motor vehicle stop.
At that time, police said, Griffin accelerated at a high rate of speed for approximately 10 seconds. As Griffin approached Oak Drive, his motorcycle struck the driver’s side door of a 2008 Hyundai Elantra that was turning left to head north on South New Prospect Road.
The driver of the Hyundai was subsequently identified as Eric Larson, 24, of Jackson.
Police said Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene and Larson was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where he was initially listed in critical condition.
On July 9, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Larson underwent multiple surgeries and was listed in stable condition recovering from his injuries.
Police said an investigation determined the Yamaha motorcycle being driven by Griffin was unregistered and had fictitious license plates attached.