Double Fatal Crash Shut Down Route 36: Prosecutor (UPDATED)

An Atlantic Highlands couple died after they were struck by a motor vehicle on Route 36 on Friday evening, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced. Route 36 was shut down for several hours.

John Grogan, 60, and his spouse, Barbara Grogan, 59, of Atlantic Highlands, were attempting to cross the intersection from the northbound direction of Route 36 and Grand Avenue at approximately 7:50 p.m. when they were struck by an eastbound 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, driven by Dylan Rieger, 27, of Belford, according to the MCPO.

Rieger was uninjured in the collision and remained on scene.

The area around the collision was closed down for approximately 5.5 hours for the investigation. The westbound lanes were reopened at 12:45 a.m. and the area was fully reopened at approximately 1:30 a.m.

The crash remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Atlantic Highlands Police Department and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART).

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Agent Reginald Grant at 800-533-7443, or Atlantic Highlands Police Department Sergeant Brian Phair at 732-291-1212.