On Friday, September 28, 2018 at approximately 3:54 p.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Molly Pitcher Lane in the Crestwood Village section of the Township for the report a person being struck by a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 46-year-old male, later identified as Dominick Demorato, of Ocean Gate lying on the grass in front of 45 Molly Pitcher Lane. Demorato was alert and conscious, but was complaining of back and leg pain.
The investigation revealed that a silver Mazda struck Demorato as he was walking across the roadway. Demorato was working as part of a construction crew which was replacing a driveway at 45 Molly Pitcher Lane when the crash occurred. The driver of the Mazda, identified only as an elderly male.
, pulled over after the crash and exited his vehicle according to witnesses. Upon doing so, he walked over to Demorato who was now lying in the grass and asked if he was ok. When Demorato told him he was not, the male returned to his vehicle, inspected the front and then left the scene. The victim was transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of his injuries. He is currently listed in stable condition.
Investigating officers developed information from witnesses and were able to locate the suspect vehicle which was registered to an 82-year-old Whiting female. Police responded to the registered owner’s address but no one was home at that time. A follow-up investigation located the suspect vehicle as well as the driver, who was identified as 81-year-old, Robert Rancati of Whiting. The vehicle he was operating at the time of the crash was determined to be a 2015 Mazda 3 which was registered to his wife.
This crash is being investigated by Sergeant Antonio Ellis of the Manchester Township Traffic Safety Unit. Charges are pending.