48°
Anthony Collins, of Seaside Heights, was charged with manslaughter and endangering an injured victim in connection with the death of Robert May, 70, of Seaside Heights, on Oct. 1, in the Borough of Seaside Heights, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
On Sept. 18, at approximately 4 p.m., Officers from the Seaside Heights Police Department responded to the area of Central Avenue and Sumner Avenue for a report of a fall victim. Responding Officers found a male victim — later identified as Robert May — lying on the ground next to his bicycle. May was observed to be bleeding from a laceration to his head. May was initially treated at the scene and refused further medical assistance; he thereafter left the area and returned to his residence.
A subsequent investigation by the Seaside Heights Police Department revealed that May was assaulted by another individual, which caused him to fall off his bicycle and strike his head on the pavement, Billhimer said.
On Sept. 18, at approximately 5 p.m., the Seaside Heights Police Department received information that May had been acting erratically subsequent to his fall, resulting in him being transported by the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad from his home to Community Medical Center in Toms River. May’s condition continued to deteriorate, and he was subsequently transferred to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. On Oct. 1, May succumbed to his injuries.
A post-mortem examination conducted on that date by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of May’s death was blunt force injury resulting from the assault.
A continuing investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Seaside Heights Police Department determined that Collins was, in fact, the individual who assaulted May, Billhimer said.
On Sunday, Oct. 15, Collins surrendered himself at Seaside Heights Police Department Headquarters, Billhimer said.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lakewood and receive free news updates.
