Fugitive Driver Allegedly Hits Two Pedestrians Prior to Christmas Parade

NORTH CAPE MAY –  Prior to the start of the Lower Township Rotary Club’s 34th Annual Christmas Parade Dec. 12, Lower Township Police Department received a report that two pedestrians had been struck by a motor vehicle in the vicinity of Bayshore Road and Pontaxit Avenue in the North Cape May section of the township. 
Upon arriving on scene, officers found a female victim lying in the middle of Bayshore Road, as well as a male victim clinging to a utility pole. Both victims were treated on scene by members of the Lower Township Rescue Squad.  Ultimately, the female was flown to the Atlantic City Medical Center for her injuries, while the male was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center.  Both the female and male victims are residents of North Cape May. 
Investigation revealed the driver of the vehicle, Michael A. Morelli, 45, a cook, who resides in Wildwood Crest, was traveling northbound on Bayshore Road in the area of Pontaxit Avenue. He allegedly struck the female victim and continued on for several yards before striking the second victim. 
Police say two passengers in the vehicle, Frank J. Richardson, 23, of Court House, and Vanessa L. Edmondson, 20, of Villas, fled the scene of the accident on foot. They later returned and were questioned by police.
Morelli was found to be a fugitive from justice for felony escape from the state of Tennessee. He was also wanted out of Hammonton Township, N.J. for failure to appear in court. He was charged criminally with two counts of leaving the scene of an accident which resulted in serious bodily injury, and for being a fugitive from justice. He was issued motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, driving while suspended, and failure to report an accident. Awaiting extradition back to Tennessee, Morelli was placed in the Cape May County Correctional Center in default of $250,000 full cash bail set by Superior Court Judge Nelson Johnson. 
Richardson was found to have a warrant out of Middle Township for failure to appear in court. He was arrested, processed and released from the Lower Township Police Department after posting bail. Both Richardson and Edmonson were also issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to report a motor vehicle accident and leaving the scene of an accident.
Both victims of the crash were stable at the time of this release.
This investigation was completed by Patrolman Robert Fessler, Patrolman Jason Felsing, and Patrolman Jennifer Anzelone.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from law enforcement.