Manasquan School Board Member Who Police Say Drove Drunk Into Home Resigns

MANASQUAN, NJ — A longtime member of the Manasquan Board of Education quit the school board after police say he was drunk and drove his Jeep into the living room of a home on March 7.

Thomas Pellegrino announced his resignation at Thursday night's Manasquan school board meeting, NJ101.5 reported. The school board unanimously accepted his resignation.

Pellegrino has been on the Manasquan school board for 12 years, and was once board president.

"After much reflection, I have decided to step down due to personal matters that now require my full attention," read his letter, in part.

At 2:10 a.m. March 7, police say Pellegrino, 58, drove his Jeep Wrangler onto the lawn of a home on Ridge Avenue and into the home's living room. The residents of the home were all fast asleep when they were awakened by a loud "boom," and the homeowner said she went downstairs to find a dazed Pellegrino standing in her kitchen, amidst the wreckage. Nobody was injured, but she said it was pure chance that the Jeep did not drive into her 17-year-old son’s bedroom, which is on the first floor.

Before he drove into the home, Pellegrino hit two cars that were parked on Newark Avenue and kept driving, said Manasquan Police. He was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence. He was also charged with refusal to submit to breath testing, reckless driving, unsafe operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a car crash and failure to report a car crash.

Pellegrino lives on Ridge Avenue.

Last week: Manasquan School Board Member Charged With DWI After Police Say He Drove Jeep Into Home