In a ceremony Tuesday the Ocean County Prosecutors Office honored the owner of an area auto body shop for his role in cracking a hit-and-run case.
Alan Picker, owner of All Time Auto Body, was thanked by Prosecutor Joseph Coronato and his staff for helping identify the driver involved after a pedestrian was stuck and killed at roadside earlier this year.
On Mar. 6, a passing motorist on Route 37 discovered the body of Jeffrey Michel, a college student who was pronounced dead at the scene when medics arrived.
Last week a Colts Neck man was identified at the driver of the vehicle that struck Michel that night.
52-year-old Mark Rothlein has been charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death, with his bail set at $100,000.
Picker, through his considerable experience with auto body work, was able to help police narrow down the make and model of the car involved based on a few plastic parts left at the scene which were dislodged in the impact.
The ceremony was held at the Ocean County Library in Toms River. Also recognized were Sgt. Mark Malinowski as Detective of the Year, and Senior Prosecutor Terry Linardakis as Prosecutor of the Year.