Bayville Man Charged With Careless Driving in Connection with Route 9 Accident

Police have charged a Bayville man with careless driving and driving an uninspected vehicle after his car struck and heavily damaged a utility pole near Blackbeard's Cave earlier this week.

Richard Aldrich, 38, was driving his 2004 white Mitsubishi Galant south on Route 9 at 3:16 p.m. on June 20 when the accident occurred. Aldrich tried to pass a car stopped to make a left turn when the passenger side of his car struck the pole, Sgt. Anthony Chiorazzi said.

"Mr. Aldrich attempted to pass on the shoulder," Chiorazzi said.

The car hit the pole, spun clockwise and ended up in a east-west position on Route 9, he said.

Route 9 was closed for 1.5 hours both north and south because police had to wait for JCP&L workers and New Jersey State Department of Transportation Workers to arrive on the scene to shore up the damaged pole, Chiorazzi said.

"It was dangerous," he said. "They replaced the pole that evening."

Power was also out in the immediate area following the collision. Traffic was detoured onto Gladney Avenue and some Pine Beach side roads while Route 9 was closed, Chiorazzi said.

The Bayville Fire Company and the Bayville First Aid Squad also responded. Aldrich complained of head and neck pain, but refused medical treatment, Chiorazzi said.