Little Egg Harbor Man Charged With Hit and Run of Bicyclist

A Little Egg Harbor Township man is under arrest, charged with hitting a bicyclist with his car, then driving away.

Ocean County Prosecutor Brian Billhimer says John Madden, 41, of Little Egg Harbor Township has been charged in connection with the accident that occurred Wednesday.

The charges against Madden include:  Assault by Auto, Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, Driving Under the Influence Alcohol or Drugs, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Failure to Report an Accident.

According to Billhimer, here's what happened:

On April 8, 2020, 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.

The case remains under investigation.

SOURCE: Ocean County Prosecutor