91-Year-Old Man ID'd As Driver In Lawn Mower Hit-And-Run, Wall Police Say

WALL, NJ — A 91-year-old man has been identified as the driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that injured a Neptune man after he was ejected from his lawn mower, Wall Township Police said.

At 10:58 a.m. on Dec. 8, police said a 34-year-old man was operating a riding lawn mower when he was struck by a vehicle traveling west on Ocean Road, which led to the man being ejected from the mower.

In surveillance footage that captured the incident, police said the vehicle involved can be seen briefly slowing down before leaving the scene toward Bailey’s Corner Road.

The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a concussion and non-life-threatening injuries.

Following this incident, authorities reviewed surveillance from local residents and businesses, while detectives tracked the suspect’s vehicle’s route of travel through the Allenwood section of Wall Township and into Brick and Howell Townships.

While canvassing the area where the vehicle was last seen on camera, a patrolman found a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek in Brick that matched the color and description of the accused vehicle, police said.

Partial damage seen on the hood of the vehicle led to further investigation into the owner, who was identified as John Snyder, 91, of Brick.

According to police, Snyder said that while he was traveling home from an appointment on the morning of the crash, he believed he struck a “tan garbage can” on the side of the road.

Investigators then confirmed that the lawn mower being driven at the scene was equipped with a tan leaf collector box, consistent with the object that Snyder believed he had hit.

Subsequent follow-ups with a local auto body shop confirmed that the vehicle had been repaired for front-end damage consistent with the crash, police said, including debris that was found lodged in the vehicle’s grill prior to repairs.

Based on the evidence gathered, including the vehicle description, surveillance, and Snyder’s statement, Snyder was identified as the driver involved and issued summonses for careless driving, reckless driving, failure to report a motor vehicle accident, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, and failure to maintain lane, police said.

“The Wall Township Police Department would like to thank the residents and local business owners who provided surveillance footage and information, which were vital to the successful resolution of this case,” police said.

To see the original post from the Wall Township Police Department, you can click here.

Previous Coverage

• Hit-And-Run Driver Sought By Wall Township Police
• New Video Released Of Wall Hit-And-Run Incident; Police Seek Public’s Help