Cops: Drunk Keeps Driving With Struck Lacey Man Stuck In Windshield

by Patricia A. Miller

A Little Egg Harbor man driving drunk struck a pedestrian with his car in Waretown, then drove more than a mile with the injured man ”stuck” halfway through his windshield, authorities said Wednesday.

Patrolman Kyle Flatt noticed the car Monday evening with what appeared to be a person lying on the hood. He stopped the vehicle in the Dolphin Way area and saw that the person was halfway through the windshield, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Kenneth C. Moeller, 61, Lanoka Harbor, had to be extricated by the Waretown Volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Squad members. Moeller suffered serious injuries and was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he is listed in critical condition, Della Fave said.

Authorities say that Marcos A. Ortega was heading northbound on Route 9 just north of South Main Street when he crossed into the northbound shoulder and struck Moeller, Della Fave said.

Ortega, 33, was charged with causing serious bodily injury to another while driving under the influence and with leaving the scene of an accident, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Ocean Township Police Chief Gerhard Frenz said in a statement.

His bail was set at $150,000, with no 10 percent option, said Fave.

“Ortega continued operating the vehicle for approximately 1.5 miles before being located and stopped by Patrolman Flatt,” he said.

Ocean Township police conducted field sobriety tests on Ortega at the scene. A telephonic search warrant was obtained and samples of Ortega’s blood were collected for analysis. The investigation is being continued by the Ocean Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, Detective Bureau and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Della Fave said.

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