Motorcyclist 'Critical' After Route 37 Crash In Toms River: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A motorcyclist was listed in critical condition Sunday after he was thrown from his motorcycle in a crash evening on Route 37, Toms River police said.

Walter Smith, 72, of Medford, was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after suffering severe pelvic fractures in the crash that was reported at 6:17 p.m., said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department. Smith was listed in critical condition and was anticipated to be undergoing additional surgery, she said.

Messina said the investigation showed Smith was driving a 2011 Harley Davidson west in the center lane of Route 37 when he ran a red light at the intersection with Coolidge Avenue. As Smith entered the intersection, his motorcycle collided with a 2015 Toyota Camry driven by Michael A. Koch, 66, of Toms River. Koch, whose wife Wanda Koch was a passenger in the car, was southbound on Coolidge Avenue at the time, Messina said.

Smith's motorcycle hit the front driver' side quarter of the Camry and was thrown from his bike, she said.

Witnesses at the scene told police that Smith did not appear to be speeding and possible sunglare may have been a contributing factor to the accident, she said.

Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen is investigating. Traffic westbound on Route 37 East was diverted onto Coolidge Ave for about an hour, she said.

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