Lacey police officer strikes and kills pedestrian

LACEY, N.J. (WABC) -- A Lacey Township Police Department officer struck and killed a pedestrian while responding to a call early Sunday morning, according to authorities.

At approximately 3:25 a.m., officer Andrew Slota was traveling east on Lacey Road when his patrol vehicle struck 25-year-old Neil Vandeputt, of Toms River. Slota initially took evasive action, but was unable to avoid the pedestrian, according to police.

The front passenger side of the car hit Vandeputt while he was crossing from the south side of Lacey Road at the Deerhead Lake Road intersection.

After impact, Slota's vehicle struck a utility pole on the westbound side of the road before coming to a stop in the bank parking lot adjacent to the roadway.

Vandeputt was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:47 a.m.

Slota was taken to Community Medical Center, where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.