Atlantic Highlands Couple Struck and Killed on Route 36

Route 36 and Grand Ave, Atlantic Highlands

John Grogan, 60, and his wife Barbara Grogan, 59, were stuck and killed by a motor vehicle on Route 36 in their hometown of Atlantic Highlands on Friday evening, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

According to Gramiccioni’s announcement, the Grogans were attempting to cross Route 36 at the intersection of Grand Ave. when they were struck by a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, driven by Dylan Rieger, 27, of Belford.

Chris Swendeman, spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office, told MMM that Reiger was driving eastbound on Route 36 when he struck the Grogans who were attempting to cross the highway at the intersection which has a traffic light, from the north to south.

Rieger, who was uninjured, remained at the scene, pulling his vehicle into the Quick Lube parking lot nearby, Swendeman said.

The Grogans were pronouced dead at the scene.

Swendeman said that the incident is under investigation that there have been no charges filed “at this time.” He declined to answer when asked if Rieger had been issued a sobriety test by Atlantic Highland Police Officers who responded to the scene.

The Atlantic Highland Police responded to a report of the collision at 7:50 p.m. on Friday evening March 8. The highway was closed for the investigation for approximate 5.5 hours. The westbound lanes were reopened at 12:45 a.m. and the area was fully reopened at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Agent Reginald Grant at 800-533-7443, or Atlantic Highlands Police Department Sergeant Brian Phair or Detective Sergeant Thomas Stone at 732-291-1212.