Man Nearly Hits Crossing Guards Fleeing Traffic Stop Near Brick School, Police Say

BRICK, NJ -- A Brick Township man is facing multiple charges after he took off from a police stop near Brick Memorial High School Tuesday morning, nearly hitting two school crossing guards in the process, police said.

Corey T. Goodwin, 38, has been charged with eluding, aggravated assault on a police officer, hindering apprehension, and obstructing the administration of law, Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said.

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Goodwin pulled over to the side of Lanes Mill Road about 7 a.m. to let students out at Brick Memorial High School, Finelli said.

Officer David Thergesen, who was on a traffic enforcement assignment at Brick Memorial and saw Goodwin stopped on the shoulder unsafely, and approached the car and told Goodwin to move the car, Finelli said.

As he did so, Thergesen saw Goodwin was not wearing his seatbelt, and told him to pull into the parking lot at Boland Field so the motor vehicle stop could be conducted in a safe location, she said.

Goodwin activated his left turn signal and initially appeared to comply with Thergesen's direction, but instead of pulling into the parking lot, Goodwin sped off north on Lanes Mill Road at a high rate of speed, Finelli said.

Goodwin crossed onto the wrong side of the road and passed other vehicles on the left, nearly striking two uniformed school crossing guards who had stopped traffic in both directions, she said.

Thergesen got in his police vehicle and gave chase, she said. Officer Michael Defluri, who was conducting radar enforcement nearby, clocked Goodwin's vehicle traveling at 73 mph.

Goodwin eventually stopped at a home on Lanes Mill Road and got out of the vehicle abd ran, Finelli said, with officers chasing him through backyards in the area of Sawmill Road and Creek Road.

Goodwin crossed a creek near Creek Road and kept running toward Greenwood Loop Road, where officers found him and apprehended him, she said.

A records check showed Goodwin had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, Finelli said.

He also was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including reckless driving, passing in a no-passing zone, failure to obey police directing traffic, failure to comply with a police officer's direction, and failure to stop for a crossing guard's whistle, as well as several other violations, she said.

Goodwin is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

"This incident occurred as officers were actively enforcing traffic laws in and around our school zones to protect students, crossing guards, school personnel, and motorists," the police department said. "It also follows a recent tragic crash in the area in which a bicyclist was struck and killed."

"Although the incidents are unrelated, the recent loss of life is a solemn reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of unsafe driving," police said.

"The Brick Township Police Department urges all motorists to exercise the utmost caution, remain alert, obey posted traffic laws, and follow the directions of police officers and school crossing guards," police said. "This is especially important in school zones and during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal, when pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic is at its highest."

"The department will continue its aggressive enforcement of traffic laws in and around our school zones to protect our children, school employees, crossing guards, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists," the department said.