Preliminary Report on Main St., Middletown Fatal Collision Released

A preliminary police investigation into a Sept. 17 fatal pedestrian-car accident on Main Street in North Middletown that killed Louis Cristello Sr., 62, of Hazlet categorizes the accident as "a hit-and-run."

"Preliminary investigation reveals this as a 1-vehicle collision with a pedestrian, whereby Driver 1 fled the scene," states Middletown Cpl. Darrin Simon in the crash investigation report released Oct. 9 by Middletown Township Police. 

Driver 1 is identified as Marissa Sasso, 24, of Twilight Place in Port Monmouth in the report. 

"Driver 1 did return later and supplied blood and urine for toxicological examination," the report states. Results are pending.

The report does not indicate when she returned.

The fatal accident occured at 7:35 a.m. on Main Street, near Kolas Court. Landscaper Crisitello of Tara Lin Drive in Hazlet, the owner of "Lou's Landscaping" was about to begin a job in the area when he was hit by the vehicle driven by Sasso. Police and First Aid responded.

He was pronounced dead at 8 a.m. by Dr. Vargus of Beth Israel Hospital of Newark, NJ. 

Police have impounded the 2003 Hyundai involved in the accident, owned by Glyder Tufariello. 

As of today, no charges or summonses have been issued.

Middletown Township Police Sgt. Richard Deickmann of the Traffic Safety Bureau said he could not make further comment, and that the full investigation into the fatal accident will involve several agencies and can take months to complete.