Prosecutor: Toms River, NJ, Man Charged in Fatal Crash is Actually a Teenager

Authorities in Ocean County say a Toms River man charged in connection to a fatal crash last week is actually a teenager.

Last Thursday night at about 10:00, officers with the Manchester Township Police Department were called to the area of 1881 Route 37 for a report of a serious crash.

Officials determined that a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle and a 2005 Nissan Murano collided and the driver of the Nissan had fled the scene.

An investigation...revealed that the Yamaha motorcycle was being driven by Jeffrey Schlinger, 23, of Toms River, and was traveling eastbound on Route 37. The Nissan Murano, operated by the juvenile, pulled out onto Route 37 - failing to yield to the motorcycle. The motorcycle was unable to avoid a collision and struck the rear passenger side door of the Nissan Murano.

Schlinger was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he died from his injuries.

Further investigation revealed that after the crash, the juvenile continued eastbound on Route 37 until his vehicle became inoperable. The juvenile then exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. He was ultimately located by Manchester Township Police Officers.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office says, "At the time of the fatal crash, the young man presented identification indicating he was 22 years-old. Further investigation revealed that he provided false identification to the police and that he was actually 17 years-old."

The unidentified juvenile has been charged with the following:

• Vehicular homicide
• Strict liability vehicular homicide
• Knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death
• Unlicensed driver involved in a motor vehicle crash resulting in death

As a result of providing false identification to police, the teen has also been charged with hindering apprehension by giving false information to law enforcement.

The teen is being held in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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