13-Year-Old Crashes Stolen Car After He Unexpectedly Sees Mom

A 13-year-old driving a car believed stolen was injured and arrested after he unexpectedly saw his mom while driving in Squire Village and then crashed the car into a tree.

Toms River Police announced the 13-year-old was hospitalized for a hip injury and broken nose as a result of the one-car accident 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 17 on Brokaw Boulevard off Hooper Avenue.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the boy told police the crash happened after he lost control of the vehicle he was illegally driving. The teen was driving down Brokaw Boulevard and saw his mother drive past him in the opposite direction, then crashed into a tree.

"Apparently distracted by seeing his mother the 2012 Toyota Camry he was operating left the roadway and struck a tree," Mastronardy said in an email.

In addition, the 13-year-old Toms River resident was operating the vehicle over the speed limit, traveling at 40 mph in the residential street, the police chief said.

Police said the teen was not only charged with driving without a license and reckless driving, but that other charges are pending because the 2012 Toyota Camry was reported stolen.

Earlier that day, the vehicle was stolen from the parking lot of Bay View Corporate Center on Hooper Avenue less than a mile from Squire Village, Mastronardy said.

Traffic Safety Officer Steven Schwartz and Sergeant Scott Moeller are investigating the theft of the vehicle after also investigating the one-car crash.

Mastronardy said the damage from a car crash into the Squire Village sign and brick wall entrance is not related.

The boy was transported to Jersey Shore Hospital and was charged with reckless driving and being an unlicensed driver. Mastronardy said other charges are pending as the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Toms River police headquarters at 732-349-0150.

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