Lacey Police Charge Beach Haven Man With Assault By Auto After Crash

A Beach Haven man is facing assault by auto charges after Lacey police determined he was using a cell phone at the time of a two-car crash where the other driver had to be flown to a trauma center, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Anthony Santore, Long Beach Boulevard, was taken into custody by Long Beach Township police on May 30. Santore was then turned over to Lacey police, the chief said.

Santore was eastbound on Lacey Road on May 24 when he crossed over the yellow line and sideswiped a Ford F240 pickup truck driven by John Turner, 48, Waretown. Turner was traveling west on Lacey Road at the time of the crash. The impact pushed the pickup off the roadway and into several trees, Paprota said.

Turner was trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by members of the Forked River Fire Department. He was then airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, the chief said.

Patrolman Daryl Nick charged Santore on May 30. His bail was set at $500. Santore also had two outstanding warrants, one from Lacey, one from Hamilton Township, the chief said.