Crime & Safety

Separate Accidents Early Friday Net Bevy Of Charges

Pair of accidents just minutes apart on opposite sides of town

Two separate car accidents early Friday morning netted drivers a host of charges, police said.

In the first, police responded to a single car accident on Ocean Road in the area of Baileys Corner Road around 1:50 a.m., Sgt. Joseph Wilbert said.

Michael McGowan, 27, of Sea Bright was driving a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer west on Ocean Road when he lost control and left the road and crashed through a fence and trees before the car came to a rest on its side, Wilbert said.

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McGowan then fled. Police searched with the assistance of the Bradley Beach Police K-9 Unit, Spring Lake Heights Police and Spring Lake Police, as well as the South Wall Fire Department, Community First Aid and MONOC Paramedics, Wilbert said.

McGowan was charged with hindering, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, driving on a suspended license, careless driving and having an open container of alcohol his car, Wilbert said.

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In the second, a Fair Lawn woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane after she crashed her car in the West Belmar section of town early Friday.

Rachel Benlisa, 23, was driving her 2010 Toyota Camry around 2:15 a.m. when she lost control and struck a tree in the area of 1144 18th Ave. There were no injuries, Wilbert said.


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