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Crime & Safety

Motor Vehicle Accident Downs Traffic Light Stanchion; Barnegat Driver Arrested for DWI

Intoxicated driver takes down traffic light stanchion, strikes another vehicle, police say

An early morning traffic accident at the intersection of Route 37 and Fischer Boulevard also caused the downing of a traffic light stanchion, resulting in the vehicle driver’s arrest for DWI.

James Murphy, 31, of Barnegat, was traveling westbound on Route 37 at 1:10 a.m. this morning, when he lost control of his car, hit the light stanchion at the intersection of 37 and Fischer Boulevard, then struck another car, according to Toms River Township Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

The driver of the other vehicle which was struck in the accident was Porfirio Melo Jr., 24, of Seaside Heights, who also claimed that Murphy’s vehicle both downed the light stanchion and struck his car. The chief added that no serious injuries were reported in the accident.

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At that time, Murphy was arrested for DWI by the Toms River Township Police Department, while the light stanchion was soon re-erected, according to Chief Mastronardy.

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