Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Long Beach Township Police Chief Anthony Deely announced that on April 8, 2020, John Madden, 41, of Little Egg Harbor Township, was charged with Assault by Auto in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(2) and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1.1.
Police said Madden was also charged with the motor vehicle offenses of Driving Under the Influence Alcohol or Drugs in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50; Reckless Driving in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-96; Leaving the Scene of an Accident in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-129; and Failure to Report an Accident in violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-130.
Police say on Wednesday, members of the Long Beach Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Long Beach Boulevard for a report of a hit and run involving serious injuries to a bicyclist.
An investigation by the Long Beach Township Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit revealed that Daniel Bogacz, 63, of Beach Haven, was riding his bicycle northbound on Long Beach Boulevard when he was struck by a 2020 Jeep Liberty, also traveling northbound.
The Jeep Liberty did not stop to render aid, but instead made a u-turn and accelerated past the injured victim.
Further investigation revealed that Madden was, in fact, the driver of the Jeep Liberty and that he was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the time he struck the victim.
Madden was arrested at his residence in Little Egg Harbor without incident and transported to Long Beach Township Police Headquarters for processing.
Mr. Bogacz was air-lifted to Atlantic City Medical Center where he is presently listed in critical condition.
This case is still under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Deely would like to thank the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, Long Beach Township Police Department, Harvey Cedars Police Department, Surf City Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Police Department, Ship Bottom Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their assistance in connection with this investigation.