Prosecutor: 82-Year-Old Charged with Murder in Fatal Hit-and-Run

An 82-year old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a male pedestrian who was struck and killed during a hit and run incident on Friday evening in Asbury Park, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Johnny Westbrook, 82, of Asbury Park, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Daniel Rivera, 63, also of Asbury Park. An investigation began when Asbury Park police received a 911 call at approximately 5:11 p.m. for a hit and run incident on Friday evening. 

Law enforcement officials arrived to find the victim, Rivera, struck in the area of 3rd Avenue and Langford Street in Asbury Park by a 1998 Ford Explorer. 

Rivera was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries from the collision and was pronounced dead at 5:41 p.m. 

A joint investigation was immediately launched by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department. As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Westbrook was the driver of the Ford Explorer and had immediately fled the scene.  

The incident remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, and Asbury Park Police Department. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kevin Condon at 800-533-7443, or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Thomas Gogan at 732-774-1300.

— Press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office