Man Ran From Head-On Crash On Route 37, Arrested By Toms River K-9 Duo, Authorities Say

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Manchester man is under arrest after he ran from a head-on crash on Route 37 that injured three people in Toms River on Monday evening, authorities said.

A Toms River Police K-9 unit found Andrew Gajewski, 30, hiding in the woods near Route 37 and Batchelor Street after the crash that happened about 8:30 p.m., Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Authorities say Gajewski was speeding and recklessly driving a 2022 Ford F-150 pickup truck on the wrong side of the road when he hit a 2021 GMC Acadia head-on.

The man driving the Acadia, who was not identified, was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was listed as stable, authorities said. A passenger in the Acadia and a passenger in the F-150 also were injured; they were both taken to Community Medical Center where they were treated and released, authorities said.

The prosecutor's office said Gajewski got out of his truck and ran to the woods where he was taken into custody after physically resisting arrest and assaulting the dog. The K-9 unit identified by the Toms River PBA as Patrol Officer Anthony Carafa and K-9 Ranger.

The prosecutor's office said Gajewski is hospitalized at Community Medical Center for treatment of injuries he suffered during his arrest.

Officers saw Gajewski exhibiting signs of intoxication and a court-authorized draw of his blood for analysis was conducted, the prosecutor's office said.

Gajewski has been charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury; three counts of assault by auto; resisting arrest, and injuring an animal used by a law enforcement agency. The prosecutor's office did not release the extent of Ranger's injuries.

He also has been charged with numerous motor vehicle summonses including reckless driving, careless driving, failure to maintain lane, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing injury, and failure to report an accident, authorities said.

Gajewski remains in custody at Community Medical Center; when he is released from the hospital he will be taken to the Ocean County Jail and held pending a detention hearing, the prosecutor's office said.

This investigation is continuing, and additional charges may be forthcoming, authorities said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit are investigating.