Pedestrian Struck By Van in West Long Branch Dies in Hospital

A 23-year-old man who was hit by a car driven by a Long Branch resident in West Long Branch on Friday has died.

Christopher Mejia, 23, of Rutherford, was attempting to cross Highway 36 when he was struck by Dario Chavez-Mejia, 48, of Long Branch, who was driving a 2002 Ford Van and was traveling eastbound on the highway on Dec. 14 at 10:30 p.m.

All information at this time indicates that the driver and the victim are not related," West Long Branch Police Capt. Lawrence Mihlon said in a release today.

Mihlon said the West Long Branch First Aid Squad as well as paramedics from MONOC responded and transported Christopher Mejia to Jersey Shore Medical Center where he apparently succumbed to his injuries in the earlier today.

The accident is currently under investigation by members of the West Long Branch Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau, Detective Bureau and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team. Chavez-Mejia is not facing any charges at this time.

Mihlon asked any witnesses or persons with information on the accident which may be helpful to investigating officers are asked to contact the Sgt. Brian Kramer of the West Long Branch Police Traffic Safety Bureau at 732-229-5000 ext. 215, or Det Jeffrey Hanlon at ext. 251.