Toms River Driver Faces Arraignment In Pickup Sinking In River

When Andrew Mayer is arraigned today in the joyriding incident that resulted in his pickup truck breaking through the ice and sinking into the Toms River, there likely will be more questions than answers that come out of it.

The biggest question: when and whether he will be charged in the death of Rolo, his dog, who died when the truck submerged.

Mayer, 27, is facing charges of criminal mischief, reckless driving and pollution in the March 1 incident, which sparked a several-hours search-and-rescue effort that included a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and divers from the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit. He is scheduled to be arraigned at noon in Toms River Municipal Court.

The Coast Guard helicopter located the pickup after a 10-hour search, sitting about 100 yards off the shore of Pine Beach, where it sank after Mayer drove onto the ice. Initial police reports said a Toms River resident called in reporting lights on the ice, and police who responded to the call could see the pickup doing donuts on the ice, then the lights disappeared, and they called in search teams.

Once the truck was located, about 10:20 a.m. that Sunday, divers from the New Jersey State Marine Police began the grim task of searching for human victims in the incident. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that they were notified that Mayer had turned himself in at Toms River police headquarters.

The divers’ search did find the body of Rolo, a boxer mix, in the truck. The NJ SPCA is investigating, but has not announced charges in the case. The dog’s death in particular has sparked outrage on social media, with a large percentage of commenters calling for harsh penalties for Mayer.

Mayer’s family and friends have come to his defense, saying Mayer tried to save Rolo but was unable to coax the dog from the pickup before it sank.

Related stories:

• Toms River Pickup Driver Had Repeated Reckless, Careless Driving Citations, But No DWI
• Fundraiser For Dog’s Owner, Man Who Drove Into Icy Toms River Halted
• Dog Owner’s Friend Asks For Money To Retrieve Pickup, Pet’s Body From Icy Toms River
• Toms River Man Charged In Pickup Falling Through Ice, Killing Dog
• Seaside Heights Cop Rips ‘Animal Loving Freaks’ Angry Over Dog’s Death In Icy Toms River
• Cousin: Toms River Pickup Truck Driver Who Fell Through Ice Tried To Rescue Dog
• Poll: Should Toms River Truck Driver Who Fell Through Ice, Killing Dog, Be Criminally Charged?
• UPDATE: Two Men Identified After Pickup Truck Falls Through Toms River Ice; Dog Dies
• Cops: Man Won’t Be Charged In Pickup Truck Sinking In Toms River, Killing Dog