Girl, 15, struck and killed on Route 70 in Lakewood while with her mom and sister: police

LAKEWOOD−A 15-year-old girl was struck and killed on Route 70 in the township Tuesday night as she was walking in a crosswalk at Vermont Avenue while with her mother and sister, authorities said.

Police and Lakewood Hatzolah EMS were on the scene quickly after the 10 p.m. accident, but their efforts could not save the girl, who was taken to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus in Lakewood.

Lakewood Officer Christopher Dunphy was leaving a convenience store on Route 70 when he heard a loud bang then people yelling and screaming that someone was hit, police said. When Dunphy got to the scene, he saw a white 2006 Lexus with extensive front end damage and the girl lying on the street behind the vehicle, police said.

A 19-year-old Toms River man was operating the Lexus, police said.

No charges have been filed and he is cooperating with investigators, authorities said. Neither the driver's nor the victim's names have been released.

More: Stafford man, 19, a UMass Dartmouth freshman, killed in pedestrian collision

Investigators determined that the Toms River man was traveling west on Route 70 when his vehicle hit the victim as she was walking south in the crosswalk at Vermont Avenue. There was no information about whether the mother and sister of the victim were in the crosswalk as well.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office have joined the investigation.

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at kserrano@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood NJ accident: Pedestrian struck, killed on Rt. 70