Driver Accused of Seaside Heights Hit-And-Run That Left 11-Year-Old Hospitalized

Seaside Heights, NJ – A nineteen-year-old resident of Hasbrouck Heights, Giancarlos Fernandez, was arrested and charged with Assault by Auto and Knowingly Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash with Serious Injuries following a pedestrian strike on May 26, 2023. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer made the announcement of the arrest.

At approximately 6:50 p.m. on May 26, the Seaside Heights Police responded to a call of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at the intersection of Barnegat Avenue and Freemont Avenue. Upon arrival, the responding officers discovered that an eleven-year-old male on a bicycle was involved. The striking vehicle was a 2012 Infinity G37, which was being operated by Fernandez at a high rate of speed. The impact with the bicycle was so severe that the eleven-year-old victim became embedded in the windshield of the car and was subsequently thrown to the pavement. The victim was air-lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center located in Neptune for treatment of serious injuries, however, he is now in stable condition.

After the crash occurred, Fernandez tried to escape on foot out of his vehicle, but was quickly apprehended by detectives from the Seaside Heights Police Department, who were just a few blocks away. Furthermore, standardized field sobriety tests were administered to Fernandez. His blood was drawn at the Community Medical Center located in Toms River after a warrant was obtained. He is currently being detained at the Ocean County Jail pending the detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer expressed appreciation to the investigative entities who worked on this case including the Seaside Heights Police Department, Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Vehicular Homicide Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

It should be noted that the charges against Fernandez are of an accusatory nature and the press and public are advised that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The incident is still under investigation by authorities. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Seaside Heights Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-793-1800.