Morris County teen indicted in fatal Toms River crash that killed woman, injured passenger
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (Ocean County) — A Morris County teenager has been indicted by an Ocean County grand jury in connection with a May crash in Toms River that killed a woman and seriously injured a passenger, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
Abel Mathukutty, 18, of Lake Hiawatha, was indicted Aug. 14 on charges of vehicular homicide, assault by auto, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing serious bodily injury.
The charges stem from a May 24 crash on Route 37 eastbound. Police said a white Mercedes sedan driven by Deborah Barone, 59, of Toms River, with passenger Michael Barone, 64, also of Toms River, struck a utility pole after being hit on the driver’s side by another vehicle. Both were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where Deborah Barone died from her injuries. Michael Barone was later transferred to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, treated, and released.
Investigators determined that an Infiniti sedan struck the Mercedes and fled eastbound over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge. A short time later, Seaside Park police stopped a vehicle matching the description. Officers reported heavy passenger-side damage and deployed airbags. Authorities identified Mathukutty as the driver and took him into custody without incident.
Mathukutty was initially charged with leaving the scene of a crash causing death and serious bodily injury and released under New Jersey bail reform guidelines. A continuing investigation later showed his vehicle was traveling 76 mph in a 50-mph zone at the time of the crash. On June 11, he was additionally charged with vehicular homicide and assault by auto.
Mathukutty was served with the charges at Toms River Township Police Headquarters and released on a summons pending appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
