Teen miraculously unhurt after chase, crash in Mt. Olive

MOUNT OLIVE – A teen stopped while driving a stolen truck jumped back into it when it started to roll away and then led police on a high speed chase that ended with him being thrown from the truck as it fell off an overpass, police said.

At about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, Officers Christopher Saunders and Andrew Spotts were traveling on Route 46 eastbound in Budd Lake, responding to a report about a dispute at a residence in the township, when a maroon pickup truck traveling in the same direction nearly side swiped Spotts' patrol car, Capt. Stephen Beecher said.

Spotts continued on to the dispute call while Saunders stopped the pickup truck on Route 46 by the International Drive intersection, Beecher said.

While Saunders was relaying the truck's registration to the dispatcher, the truck's operator, Tyler Doyle, 18, of Allamuchy, exited the vehicle, faced Saunders' car, and put his hands on his head, Beecher said.

The truck, however, began to roll forward and Doyle ran after it, jumped back in and then sped off, heading onto the nearby ramp for Route 80 East, Beecher said.

The truck was traveling at a high rate of speed and "serpentining" on Route 80, at some points weaving onto the shoulder and at others driving near the fog line by the median, Beecher said.

Saunders ended the pursuit of the truck but as he was doing so Doyle lost control and struck the guide rail just east of Exit 28, Beecher said.

The truck hit the guide rail with such force that it went through the rail and then flipped over and fell off the highway between the Route 80 East and West overpasses in Roxbury onto Landing Road below, Beecher said.

Doyle was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the truck and fell onto the median of Route 80, Beecher said.

"Miraculously he was not seriously injured and took off running," Chief Mark Spitzer said. "He ran across Route 80 East and into the wooded area near the Sanchez Construction Company."

A search was conducted for Doyle that included Roxbury police, the Morris County Sheriff's K-9 Unit, Morris County Park Police, Mount Arlington police, Wharton police and State Police.

At about 6:15 a.m., Mount Olive Police Lt. Phil Lucivero saw a person walking on Route 46 near the Days Inn in Roxbury, Beecher said.

Lucivero made contact with the man and determined it was Doyle, Beecher said.

Doyle had bumps, bruises, minor cuts and scrapes but refused medical attention, Beecher said.

He was placed under arrest and taken to Mount Olive police headquarters for processing.

Further investigation revealed the pickup truck was stolen from Washington Township and Doyle had been involved in multiple car burglaries in Mount Olive and Hackettstown, Beecher said.

Doyle was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, eluding, obstructing the administration of justice, hindering apprehension, and multiple motor vehicle offenses.

Doyle was also charged with four counts of burglary and theft, and he has charges pending in Hackettstown and Mansfield, Beecher said.

Doyle's bail was set at $25,000.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com