Arrest made in fatal hit and run on Friday
Eighty three year old suspect and victim both residents of Asbury Park
An arrest has been made in a fatal hit and run accident on early Friday evening in the area of 3rd Avenue and Langford Street, according to a news release from Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
The suspect, Johnny Westbrook, 82, is an Asbury Park resident, according to the release. The victim, Daniel Rivera, 63, was also a resident of the city.
The following is the full news release from the prosecutor’s office:
“An 82-year old male has been arrested and charged in the death of a male pedestrian who was struck and killed during a hit and run incident on Friday evening in Asbury Park, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Johnny Westbrook, 82, of Asbury Park, was arrested and charged with first degree Murder in the death of Daniel Rivera, 63, also of Asbury Park. An investigation began when Asbury Park police received a 911 call at approximately 5:11 p.m. for a hit and run incident on Friday evening. Law enforcement officials arrived to find the victim, Rivera, struck in the area of 3rdAvenue and Langford Street in Asbury Park by a 1998 Ford Explorer.
Rivera was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries from the collision and was pronounced at 5:41 p.m.
A joint investigation was immediately launched by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Westbrook was the driver of the Ford Explorer which immediately fled the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Asbury Park Police Department. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kevin Condon at 800-533-7443, or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Thomas Gogan at 732-774-1300.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.”
