A teen bicyclist suffered traumatic injuries when she was struck by a tow truck after falling into its path Wednesday in Egg Harbor Township.
Police released updated information in the case Thursday afternoon, stressing that the truck did not strike the girl before she fell.
Both Francis Kelly, 44, of Atlantic City, and the 15-year-old girl were heading north on Ocean Heights Avenue just south of Blackman Road, when the girl fell at about 4:49 p.m., police said.
As she fell into the road, she fell into the tow truck's path and underneath the rear tires of the vehicle, according to the update.
An investigation revealed no contact was made between the truck and bicycle prior to the accident.
The girl was treated at the scene by Egg Harbor Township EMS and AtlantiCare ALS.
She was then taken to a nearby landing zone, and flown to Cooper Health System due to her significant injuries, Mensch said.
The teenager is still at Cooper due to her injuries.
investigation at the scene found no impairment or other factors to believe the tow truck driver was operating carelessly or recklessly at the time of the crash
This crash is being investigated by Officer Thomas Rizzotte and Sgt. Ed Stearns.
Traffic was detoured in the area for about 1½ hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Egg Harbor Township Traffic Safety Unit at 609-926-2641.
