28°
Genell Mcinaw, 50, surrendered to Seaside Heights police on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Ocean County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael Nolan Jr. said in a news release. She was previously charged in the crash that killed Robert Popovics of Seaside Park.
Seaside Heights police responded to a report of a man lying in the road near the intersection of Dupont Avenue and the Boulevard at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23. Officers found Popovics unconscious with serious injuries and he was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Investigators said Mcinaw drove a dark-colored car south on the Boulevard when she struck Popovics and left the crash scene. She was arrested at her home and brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a court-approved blood draw.
According to laboratory results, Mcinaw's blood alcohol concentration was .187 during the crash, more than twice the legal limit of .08.
Popovics died from his injuries on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Neptune hospital. The 75-year-old was the owner of Shady Rest Restaurant on Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville.
After Popovics' death, Mcinaw's charges were upgraded on Monday, Nov. 4 to vehicular homicide, strict liability vehicular homicide, and knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death. She was held again in the Ocean County Jail to await a detention hearing.
The Marine veteran's daughter Alexis announced his death on Shady Rest's Facebook page.
"With prayers and thoughts from around the world, he was able to transition peacefully and quickly to his next journey," she wrote. "Rest easy, Marine. Your watch has ended."
Fans of the restaurant shared their condolences and memories of Popovics.
"Bob took us under his wing, Shore Catch, in the 90s and made us who we are today," one Facebook commenter wrote. "Love him forever and will miss him. He was so good to us and my family! I'm glad I had time to share Jesus with him. Heaven is a [guarantee]! No doubts here in my mind! God's peace to all."
"The world has lost a beautiful light that brought joy to many lives," another person commented. "Lucky are those that had the pleasure to meet and know him. Rest easy, Bob. My deepest condolences to you all."
Fly Fisherman magazine said Popovics was "one of saltwater fly fishing’s most storied practitioners" who elevated the sport into an art form.
"To call Popovics a legend would be an understatement, especially if your world of fly fishing involves the taste of salt in the air, a freshening breeze rolling inland off the surf, and the sight of baitfish panicking and fleeing by the millions as wave after wave of hungry striped bass slash into the melee and seagulls wheel about and cry noisily overhead as they search for leftovers," wrote Fly Fisherman senior editor Lynn Burkhead.
A tribute to Popovics was posted on the scoreboard at Madison Square Garden during a New York Rangers game.
Popovics' daughter said his viewing will be at the Timothy Ryan Home for Funerals on St. Catherine's Boulevard in Toms River. The visitation was scheduled for 3-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Catharine's Church in Seaside Park at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12. An honor guard procession to BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in North Hanover Township will begin after the funeral at 12:30 p.m.
Popovics' family was also planning to set up a scholarship foundation in his memory.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bergenfield and receive free news updates.
