The Manahawkin man behind the wheel of a car that put two teenagers in the hospital with critical injuries was arrested Monday and now faces charges of Aggravated Assault and Assault by Auto in addition to Reckless Driving and Failure to Maintain his lane, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced.

It all stems from a car accident that occurred on Saturday night around 9:45 near Radio Road and Baltusrol Court in Little Egg Harbor.

The investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Little Egg Harbor Police revealed that Michael Pillarella, 26, was traveling northbound on Radio Road when he didn't drive properly through a curve in the roadway and then crossed over the centerline where he struck an oncoming 2006 Toyota XB traveling southbound.

Both juveniles in the vehicle Pillarella hit sustained serious injuries and were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where they remain in critical condition.

Pillarella was airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Trauma Center in Atlantic City for treatment of his injuries from the crash before being released and later arrested without incident by Little Egg Harbor Police.

A search warrant was obtained for a draw of Pillarella’s blood, and laboratory results remain pending.

Following his arrest Pillarella was processed at Little Egg Harbor Police Headquarters and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he remains pending a detention hearing.

Vin
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