COLD SPRING – Cape May County Communications received a 911 call Aug. 1 at about 10:38 p.m. reporting a motor vehicle crash with injuries.
According to a release, Lower Township police were immediately dispatched to the Route 109 Bridge (Cape May) for the report of a motor vehicle crash involving a bicyclist.
As officers were responding, Cape May County Communications advised that the vehicle involved had fled the scene. A description and direction of travel for the vehicle was broadcast to the responding officers, as well as surrounding police departments.
Cape May County Sheriff’s K-9 unit responded to assist.
Officers arrived and immediately rendered aid to the bicyclist. He was identified as Gratiano Dinu, 21, from Wildwood.
Due to the severity of injuries, including head trauma, Lower Township Rescue Squad, Atlantic Care Paramedics (MICU), and Cape May City Fire and Rescue responded.
Cape May Fire and Rescue transported Dinu to Court House, with the assistance of Atlantic Care Paramedics and Lower Township Rescue Squad.
A helicopter then transported Dinu to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division where he remained in critical condition as of Aug. 2.
An investigation of the crash scene revealed evidence that assisted in identifying the fleeing vehicle. Officers were also able to ascertain a witness statement.
At about 11:16 p.m., members of the Lower Township Patrol Division observed a vehicle matching the vehicle’s description. The vehicle was traveling west on Wildwood Avenue in Villas.
A motor vehicle stop was conducted, the driver, Shem C. Jenkins, 50, from Orlando, Fla. was subsequently arrested, and his vehicle was impounded.
Jenkins’ vehicle sustained damage consistent with the hit-and-run crash.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle and bicyclist were both traveling north crossing the Route 109 Bridge when the vehicle struck the bicyclist from the rear. He landed backward and came into direct contact with the windshield. He traveled a short distance with the vehicle before rolling forward to the location where he was found.
Jenkins was transported to Lower Township Police Headquarters, processed, and released on a criminal summons, awaiting further adjudication.
He was charged with assault by auto, as well as multiple motor vehicle summonses: driving while intoxicated, DUI refusal; reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury; and failure to report an accident.
Due to Jenkins’ refusal to submit to the breathalyzer exam, a search warrant for bodily fluids was authorized by Municipal Judge Louis Belasco.
Jenkins was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center for testing. He was then returned to Lower Township Police Headquarters where he was released on a criminal summons and in accordance with John’s Law.
The investigation was ongoing and was investigated by the Lower Township Police Patrol and Detective divisions.
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