Search On For Severed Arm After Toms River Motorcycle Crash: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Investigators – including the New Jersey State Marine Police – are searching for the severed right forearm and hand of a Toms River man following a motorcycle crash on Route 37 early Thursday morning, Toms River police said.

The crash, which happened at the crest of the J. Stanley Tunney bridge, was reported at 12:46 a.m., said Jillian Messina of the Toms River Police Department.

Preliminary reports from witnesses allege multiple motorcycles were drag racing on the bridge before Ronald Vanarsdale, 36, of Toms River, was thrown from his motorcycle after the impact at the top of the bridge. His body was found 326 feet from the point of the impact, his right arm severed just under the bicep, Messina said.

Sgt. Ed Mooney from the Toms River Police Department was able to quickly apply a tourniquet to immediately stop the bleeding from the amputation, an action praised by trauma center staff at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where Vanarsdale was flown for treatment.

Vanarsdale underwent emergency surgery and was in the Intensive Care Unit and listed in stable condition as of the time of the news release Thursday evening, Messina said.

Vansarsdale's motorcycle wound up 762 feet from the point of impact, she said.

His severed arm and hand had not yet been found, however, and Messina said Sgt. Pearce of the New Jersey State Police Marine Division was notified and Messina said she believed they were still searching as of Thursday evening.

It was not yet known if impairment was a factor in the accident; Messina said authorities are awaiting information to determine that.

There were no other injuries, she said. Charges are pending.

In addition to multiple Toms River police units, Investigator Brad Frank from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Ocean County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Unit also responded.

If you find the missing forearm or hand, or if you witnessed the crash, Toms River police are asking that you call Traffic Safety Officer Mark Nater at 732-349-0150, ext. 1336 or email him mnater@trpolice.net.

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Photo provided by Toms River Police