Two pedestrians struck, killed in separate Toms River incidents

Two men were struck and killed by vehicles in separate incidents in Toms River Tuesday evening. 

The first incident occurred around 7:30 p.m., when Daniel Gunnells, 43, of Ridgeway Road in Manchester was struck while crossing Indian Head Road at Green Drive by an eastbound 2013 Chevrolet Camaro driven by Robert Mendez, 63, of Lakehurst, according to Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department. 

Gunnells, who was pushing a shopping cart south across Indian Head Road when he was struck, died instantly, Stocco said.

Less than 20 minutes later, Matthew Farrington, 51, of Forked River was struck while crossing Route 37 at Coolidge Avenue by Shawn McNamara, 30, of Toms River, who was traveling westbound on Toms River in his truck, according to Stocco.

Farrington was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he succumbed to his injuries, Stocco said.

“Initial reports are that both motor vehicles had a green traffic signal and the pedestrians were not using the appropriate cross walks,” said Stocco. 

The Toms River Police Department Traffic Safety Unit, under the coordination of Sgt. Gene Bachonski, is still conducting investigations. Ofc. David Bartoshek is investigating the Indian Head Road incident. and Ofcs. Nater and Palino are investigating the Route 37 incident. 

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Traffic Unit and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigative Unit also provided assistance.