05/19/2026
Great job by Ptl. Carafa and his partner K-9 Ranger!
MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED WITH
LEAVING THE SCENE OF A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY AND
THREE COUNTS OF ASSAULT BY AUTO
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 18, 2026, Andrew Gajewski, 30, of Manchester Township, was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, three counts of Assault by Auto, Resisting Arrest, and Injuring an Animal Used by a Law Enforcement Agency, all in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in Toms River on May 18, 2026.
On May 18, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 37 and Batchelor Street for a report of a motor vehicle crash with injuries. Responding Officers discovered a 2022 Ford F-150 and a 2021 GMC Acadia with damage consistent with a head-on collision. The driver of the Ford, later identified as Gajewski, fled the scene on foot. The driver of the Acadia was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he is listed in stable condition. A passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the Ford were both transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where they were treated and released.
Gajewski was taken into custody in a wooded area near the scene of the crash after physically resisting arrest and assaulting a Toms River Police Department K-9. Gajewski was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of injuries he sustained during his apprehension. Officers at the scene observed Gajewski exhibiting signs of intoxication; as such, in furtherance of the investigation, a draw of Gajewski’s blood was obtained pursuant to court-authorized warrant.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that Gajewski was traveling on the wrong side of the roadway at the time of the collision. Further investigation revealed that Gajewski was speeding and driving recklessly shortly before the crash. As a result of the investigation, Gajewski was charged with the crimes referenced above and issued numerous motor vehicle summonses including Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash Causing Injury, and Failure to Report an Accident. Gajewski presently remains in custody at Community Medical Center; when he is released from the hospital he will be transported to the Ocean County Jail where he will remain lodged pending a detention hearing.
This investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).
