A Spring Lake Heights man struck by a taxi early Sunday morning is hospitalized in critical condition, authorities said.
Douglas Walter Crimi, 55, was struck 2:30 a.m. by a 2003 Chevy van registered and owned by Squan Transportation taxi company, according to Spring Lake Heights police.
Crimi as of 8 p.m. Sunday was listed in critical condition in the Trauma ICU at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, police said.
The driver of the taxi, Paul Salgado, 51, of Manasquan, voluntarily provided blood samples to state police for testing for drugs and alcohol, a routine practice during accidents in which serious injury is involved, police said.
"Although the investigation is continuing it does not appear that alcohol, drugs or speed played a role," according to a release from police.
The taxi had two passengers at the time of the accident. None were injuried.
Spring Lake Heights Detective Michael Matunas and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART) are continuing the investigation.
According to the county prosecutor's website, "SCART is a team of highly-trained collision reconstruction specialists drawn from police departments throughout Monmouth County. It is supervised by several police chiefs. This regionalized investigative team analyzes traffic collisions utilizing state-of-the-art sophisticated equipment."
I happen to personally know this particular driver, he is a family man & a very good person. I know he feels just awful about this & like us all he is praying for this man's speedy recovery.
You also made a big assumption that either accident was indeed the driver's fault. Driving around at night in the shore area is not an easy task, I have many times barely missed hitting a Bicyclist, Skateboarder, or pedestrian, usually because they are wearing dark clothing, doing something erratic or stupid & possibly intoxicated, happens all of the time.