Toms River Man Dies In Crash Learning To Drive Motorcycle: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man died Sunday evening when he crashed and was hit by a vehicle on Route 37 while trying to learn how to ride a motorcycle, police said.

Nicholas Cacciapaglia, 24, of Toms River, died at the scene of the crash on Route 37 near Roosevelt Avenue, which was reported about 7:30 p.m., said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

Cacciapaglia was learning to ride a Harley-Davidson in the parking lot of Ocean County Power Sports when he lost control and hit a curb, Messina said.

Cacciapaglia then went into Route 37, where the motorcycle went down, and he slid into the center lane where he was hit by a vehicle driven by Domenic Maruca, 62, of Toms River, she said.

There were no signs of impairment, and no summonses were issued, Messina said.

Ocean County Motorsports did not own the motorcycle and the business was closed at the time of the accident, she said.

The crash remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ryan Fitzgerald.

This has been updated with additional information provided by the police department.

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