Hit-And-Run Crash Driver Turns Self In, Cops Say

A Budd Lake man who allegedly crashed into a motorcyclist on Saturday in Morris County and fled the scene of the incident turned himself in, Mt. Olive Police said.

At 6:41 p.m. on May 23, police responded to a crash on Rt. 46 near Cedar Street in Mt. Olive and found Peter Fornarucci lying on the ground. Fornarucci had been riding his motorcycle when a four-door sedan turned in front of him, causing the two vehicles to crash. The biker was airlifted to Morristown Medical Center with serious injuries, but was listed in good condition earlier this week.

Following tips from the public and eyewitness accounts, police interviewed multiple subjects in relation to the crash, Russell said.

After days of investigating, Christopher Thiele, 27, of Budd Lake, turned himself into Mt. Olive Police, Russell said. Thiele was charged with knowingly leaving a motor vehicle accident with serious bodily injury, assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report on accident, and reckless driving. He was released and given a court appearance.

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