Toms River Family Hit By Car On Hooper Avenue: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man and a toddler were hospitalized after they were struck by a car Monday afternoon on Hooper Avenue, police said Monday evening.

Amado Tlacocala-Vargas and his 2-year-old daughter were hurt in the accident that happened shortly before 4 p.m., said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department. They were listed in stable condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center as of 7 p.m. Monday, he said.

Tlacocala-Vargas and Yolanda Flores, both of Chestnut Street, Toms River, were carrying their daughter and were on the southwest side of the intersection, walking eastbound across Hooper Avenue, just outside of a marked crosswalk, Stocco said.

Amanda Odell, 19, of Toms River, was driving a 2014 Hyundai Elantra and making a left turn from Caudina Avenue onto Hooper Avenue southbound when she struck the family, he said.

Odell did not see the pedestrians until she struck them with her driver's side, Stocco said.

Tlacocala-Vargas hit his head on the windshield of Odell's vehicle, Stocco said. On scene the injuries appeared extensive, and all were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by ambulance, he said.

"Fortunately, after being treated at (the hospital), the most extensive of the injuries was that the father needed stitches on his head," Stocco said. The mother (Flores) was uninjured, and the child had bump on her head, but overall she was okay, he said.

Who had the right of way is still under investigation, Stocco said, but he added that it appears Odell had a green turn arrow, and the pedestrians were crossing against the pedestrian interval signal.

"This is still being determined," Stocco said.

Cellphone use by the driver and impairment of the driver were ruled out, he said.

Toms River police car by Karen Wall