Driver charged in hit-run in country illegally
Unlicensed suspect arrested after van, motorcycle collide
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/24/07
BY MARGARET F. BONAFIDE
TOMS RIVER

LAKEWOOD, NJ — The driver who fled from the scene of a collision between his van and a motorcycle was later arrested by police Friday evening who traced him from money orders found in the van.

Patrolman Leonard Nieves Sr. responded to the intersection of Squankum and East County Line roads after a collision was reported at 6:36 p.m., Lt. Michael Mooney said.

The suspect, identified as Pedro Ramirez Garcia, 44, fled on foot from the van. Ramirez Garcia was arrested shortly afterward by Patrolman Joseph Gregg at a home in Coventry Square, Mooney said.

Ramirez Garcia was driving a van with Pennsylvania tags. Witnesses gave police a description of what the driver was wearing, Mooney said.

The motorcyclist was traveling south on Squankum Road and had a green light, Mooney said. When the motorcycle entered the intersection, the van, headed east on East County Line, ran a red light and collided with the motorcycle, Mooney said.

The motorcycle driver, Edwin Corrales, 40, who had a Costa Rican license, was taken to Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Mooney said. His injuries were not serious, police said.

The intersection was closed for about a half-hour while police and medical personnel responded.

Police were able to locate Ramirez Garcia him by using the address posted on two Western Union money orders found in the van and addressed to a location in Mexico, Mooney said. One was for $800 and one was for $200, Mooney said.

Ramirez Garcia is not a legal resident of the United States, Mooney said, and does not have a driver's license. He was issued summons for driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and failing to observe a traffic signal.

Ramirez Garcia is also being charged with endangering an injured victim, an indictable offense that requires police to alert immigration authorities of his status and the criminal allegations, Mooney said.

Additional charges could be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing, Mooney said.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articl ... 40355/1070