by Ralph Stocco, TRPD
TOMS RIVER-On Saturday, September 23rd at 7:20 pm police and medical units were dispatched to Whittier Avenue and Longfellow Avenue for a pedestrian that was struck by a motor vehicle.
Nineteen-year-old Nicholas Franklin of Toms River was driving a 1995 BMW westbound on Whittier Avenue. Toms River resident Joseph Bartolotta, who was walking in the area, was struck by the BMW. Mr. Bartolotta, age 81, had just left his residence on Longfellow Avenue to walk his Jack Russell Terrier. He was presumably crossing the intersection southbound on Longfellow Avenue when he was struck. Mr. Bartolotta was taken to an area hospital by medevac helicopter where he died overnight as a result of his injuries. His dog was also injured and taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The condition of the dog is not known at this time.
The crash is being investigated by Toms River Police Traffic Safety Officer Adam Keoppen as well as members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. The incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.