Monmouth County Man Identified As Toms River Hit-Run Victim

A Colts Neck man has been identified as the person who was found dead by the side of Route 37 on Friday evening, Toms River police said Saturday afternoon.

Jeffrey Michel, 27, of Cedar Drive, Colts Neck, appears to be the victim of a hit-and-run accident, Ralph Stocco, spokeman for the Toms River Police Department.

Stocco said a motorist who was driving west on Route 37 called police about 8:20 p.m., saying they had seen a person lying on the side of the road just west of Fischer Boulevard. Police arrived and found Michel unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, Stocco said.

It appears he was hit by vehicle that may have been blue in color, Stocco said.

Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ken Thomas is investigating, along with Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Detectives Mike Proto and David Margentino. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit was also on hand to process the crime scene.

Anyone with information should contact Officer Ken Thomas at 732-349-0150 extension 1314 or Detective Mike Proto at 732-929-2027.