Pedestrian Struck, Killed In Brick Accident Christmas Eve: Police

BRICK, NJ -- A Lakewood man was killed Sunday night when he was hit by an SUV while walking along Route 88 in Brick, police said Tuesday.

Michael Cappello, 41, of Lakewood, was hit about 8 p.m. Sunday about 400 feet east of the intersection with Old Squan Road, Patrolman Scott Dierking said Tuesday.

Frank Moro, 26, of Brick, was eastbound in a black 2003 Ford Escape SUV and had just crossed Old Squan Road when he hit Cappello, who was in the lane of travel, Dierking said. Moro immediately pulled over, Dierking said, and witnesses to the crash called 911 and tried to help Cappello.

Several Brick police officers and the Brick Township Police Emergency Medical Services along with MONOC paramedics responded to transport Cappello to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, where he succumbed to his injuries, Dierking said.

Dierking said the initial investigation showed Moro was not using his cell phone at the time and speed did not appear to be a factor, he said.

Patrolmen Lampiasi and Dierking of the Brick Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit responded to investigate the crash, along with Detective Waldhelm of the Brick Township Police Department’s ID unit responded to document the scene. Detective Uricks of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in the investigation, Dierking said.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Traffic Safety Unit at 732-262-1140.

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