Pedestrian struck by car, then stuck in windshield dies

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A pedestrian who was struck by a car in southern New Jersey and then became lodged in the vehicle's windshield has died.

Kenneth Moeller, 61, of Lanoka Harbor, died Monday night, a week after he was struck on a highway shoulder, Ocean County prosecutors said. Moeller was hit by a car driven by 33-year-old Marcos Ortega, who continued driving for about 1 1/2 miles before he was stopped by police.

Ortega, of Little Egg Harbor, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and causing serious bodily injury to another while driving under the influence. Now that Moeller has died, prosecutors say he will likely face more serious charges.

Ortega remained jailed Tuesday on $150,000 cash bail. It's not known if he has retained an attorney.

The accident occurred Nov. 10 on Route 9 in Ocean Township.

Prosecutors said a township police officer responding to reports of an erratic driver saw what appeared to be a person lying on the hood of a vehicle. The officer stopped the vehicle and, as he approached it, saw the victim lodged halfway through the windshield.

Samples of Ortega's blood were collected for analysis, but the tests have not been completed.