A Lacey Township police Officer responding to a call early Sunday crashed into a utility pole while swerving to avoid a pedestrian who ended up being struck and killed by the patrol vehicle, according to Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

A preliminary investigation based on witness accounts determined Neil Vandeputt, 25, of Toms River, was crossing against a traffic signal near Lacey and Deerhead Lake Roads around 3:25 a.m. while Lacey Officer Andrew Slota was traveling east on Lacey Road responding to a call, Della Fave said.

Slota initially took evasive action to avoid striking Vandeputt, who was struck by the front passenger side of the patrol vehicle, according to Della Fave. Slota’s vehicle then crashed into a utility pole on the westbound side of the road.

Vandeputt was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:47 a.m. while Officer Slota was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Della Fave.

Due to the Lacey officer being involved in the accident, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes/Fatal Accident Unit was joined by the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI in the investigation, which remains ongoing.

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