Abel Mathukutty (r) was the driver in a hit and run crash that killed Debbie Barone. (l)

By Sam Barron From Daily Voice

An 18-year-old Lake Hiawatha man was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in Toms River, authorities announced Thursday, Aug. 14.

Abel Mathukutty was indicted on charges of vehicular homicide, assault by auto, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing serious bodily injury, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.

Mathukutty was behind the wheel of an Infinity sedan that struck a white Mercedes sedan driven by Debora Barone on Saturday, May 24 at 7:25 p.m. on Route 37 east in Toms River, Billhimer said. The crash sent the Mercedes into a utility pole, Billhimer said.

Mathukutty fled the scene, traveling eastbound over the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge, Billhimer said. Barone was transferred to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where she was pronounced dead, Billhimer said.

Michael Barone, Deborah's husband and a passenger in the vehicle, was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center where he was treated and released, Billhimer said.

At 8 p.m. the night of the crash, Seaside Park police pulled over a damaged vehicle matching the description of Mathukutty's Infinity, Billhimer said. The airbags had deployed, and police confirmed it was the car involved in the earlier crash and took Mathukutty into custody, Billhimer said.

An investigation revealed the vehicle operated by Mathukutty was traveling at a rate of 76 mph at the time of the crash, Billhimer said. The speed limit on Route 37 is 50 mph, Billhimer said.

Mattukutty was recently a Parsippany High School senior. He wrestled his junior and sophomore years, according to NJ Advance Media.