NJ State Police trooper dies after being struck by car during search on I-195 in Howell

NJ state trooper dies after being struck by car

HOWELL, N.J. — New Jersey State Police say a trooper has died of injuries he suffered when he was struck by a car while looking for two suspects who had abandoned a car on Interstate 195.

Capt. Gerald Lewis Jr. says Marc Castellano was struck at around 10 a.m. Sunday near an exit ramp in Howell Township. Castellano later died at a hospital.

One of the suspects was found hiding in the woods and was taken into custody. Police say charges are pending. They did not say why they were looking for the suspects.

It was not clear who struck Castellano. Police say it was not the woman who abandoned the car.

The woman told authorities a man was riding with her and officers spent hours looking for him. The search ended when investigators began questioning her claims.

Four officers were taken to a hospital and treated for heat exhaustion.

The 29-year-old Castellano had been a trooper for five years.