Unlicensed Berkeley Man, His Son Charged In Hit-And-Run That Injured Teen: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — A Berkeley Township man and his son were both charged after the father struck and severely injured a 17-year-old riding an electric bike and kept driving, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Michael P. Gable, 56, is charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury to another person, operating a motor vehicle while unlicensed and causing serious bodily injury to another person, and tampering with evidence in connection with the hit-and-run in Beachwood on April 30, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

His son, Michael A. Gable, 22, is charged with hindering apprehension of another.

The crash occurred in the area of Mizzen Avenue and Locker Street, Billhimer said. The 17-year-old was heading north on Locker Street when he was struck at the intersection by a vehicle going eastbound, Billhimer said.

That car kept driving east, not stopping or calling local authorities for assistance, Billhimer said.

The teenager was seriously injured and was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center; he was treated and released, Billhimer said.

Investigation found that the car was registered to Michael A. Gable, Billhimer said. He was contacted by detectives and lied to them about where the car was and who might have been driving it, Billhimer said. The car was ultimately found at a business in Lacey Township.

Further investigation found that Michael P. Gable was the one driving it at the time of the crash and that he was unlicensed, Billhimer said. He was charged accordingly and taken to Ocean County Jail, where he remains pending a detention hearing.

His son was served his charge via a summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.