Pedestrian Struck on Pelican Island, Airlifted to Hospital

A Toms River man was flown by helicopter to a regional trauma center after being struck by a car on Route 37 early Thursday morning. 

The 32-year-old, who was identified by police as township resident Gene Rapp, was struck in the westbound lane of the state highway near the Tunney Bridge while walking on Pelican Island around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, said Chief Michael Mastronardy. 

A witness told police that the pedestrian was in the right hand travel lane when he was struck, Mastronardy said. 

Rapp was taken by helicopter to the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to the chief. His condition was not immediately known. 

Joseph Zinn, 22, of Brick was driving the 2001 Buick that struck the pedestrian, Mastronardy said.

The incident remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officers Brian Doyle and Robert Westfall along with the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and Sheriff’s Department, according to Mastronardy.