Motorcyclist Leads Stafford Police On High Speed Chase, Then Smashes Into Police Cruiser

Stafford police arrested a motorcyclist after he led them on a late-night high-speed chase that ended when he blew a red light and struck a police car, Lt. James R. Vaughn said.

Patrolman Chris Smith tried to stop Thomas J. Walton, 22, Easthampton, at 1 a.m. on Aug. 8 for or a motor vehicle violation on Route 72 West near Marsha Drive.

When Smith activated his emergency lights, Walton accelerated and began to flee and elude Smith. Smith turned off his emergency lights and followed Walton from a safe distance. Walton then left Route 72 and turned onto Jennings Road, and headed towards East Bay Avenue, past the Stafford Township police station and approached the Route 9 and East Bay Avenue intersection, Vaughn said.

Walton went through the red light, lost control of the 2006 Honda CBR motorcycle and struck a police cruiser driven by Patrolman Adam Sherer. Sherer was approaching the East Bay Avenue intersection and was traveling north with a green light when the collision occurred, he said.

Both the officer and Walton were uninjured. Walton was taken into custody after he was medically cleared by the Stafford Township First Aid Squad. Patrolman Sherer's police vehicle had only minor damage. The motorcycle - which police later determined had been stolen from Millville in July - was towed from the scene, Vaughn said.

Walton was charged with eluding, and possession of stolen property, and was given numerous motor vehicle summonses. Walton also had three traffic warrants for his arrest from Ship Bottom, Bordentown Township, and Westampton totaling over $1,200, Vaughn said.

Walton was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

Image: Courtesy of Stafford Township police department.