Active Manhunt In Mysterious Highway Shooting Death In Colts Neck

An active manhunt is underway after a mysterious highway shooting death closed Route 18 in Colts Neck on Sunday, leaving at least one other person was hospitalized, according to authorities.

Route 18 is now reopened in both directions following a shooting and motor vehicle accident investigation that closed the roadway north and south, between Routes 537 and 34, on Sunday morning, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

UPDATE: Beloved Asbury Park Barber Was Victim In Route 18 Gun Killing

The death was reported after police said Route 18 was closed Sunday to all northbound and southbound traffic because of a police investigation. The northbound lanes were reopened by 11 a.m., and southbound was reopened by noon.

The driver Lloyd Earl Sanders, 54, of Neptune City, was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound. A 52-year-old passenger was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He has been treated and released.

Sanders, the driver of a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350, was pronounced dead at the scene soon after the 1:58 a.m. crash, Christopher Swendeman, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office, told Patch.

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Ryan Mahoney 1-800-533-7443 or Colts Neck Police Department Detective Rich Zarrillo 732-780-7323.Individuals who feel the need to remain anonymous, but who may have information relevant to this investigation can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at
www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of criminals and fugitives.

This is a developing story. Patch will have information as it comes in.

Photo courtesy of NBC4 New York