Driver Charged In Fatal Crash Outside Toms River Wawa: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER – A 55-year-old man was charged with vehicular homicide on Friday in connection with a fatal crash outside of a Wawa, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Douglas Thompson, 55, of Jackson was also charged with death-by-auto and driving with a suspended license. The victim, Thomas Marciano, 65, of Toms River, died two weeks after the crash.

The crash happened on Oct. 15 at approximately 7:50 p.m. when the Toms River Police were dispatched to the intersection of Route 9 and Stevens Road on a report of a motor vehicle collision.

Marciano was traveling northbound on Route 9 near the intersection of Stevens Road when he stopped behind a vehicle that was about to make a left turn into the Wawa parking lot, the OCPO said.

The vehicle was then rear-ended by Thompson's vehicle. Toms River EMS and Silverton EMS responded and tended to the injuries at the scene, the OCPO said.

Marciano was transported to Community Medical Center and, later that evening, to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune because of the seriousness of his injuries.

On Oct. 28, Marciano died, the OCPO said.

Thompson was originally charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving and operating a vehicle while suspended or revoked.

On Friday, Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Mark Nater, along with members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Squad, arrested Thompson at his residence in Jackson in connection with the additional charges, the OCPO said.

Thompson is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.