Police charge 2 who allegedly fled Parkway crash, took cab to beach

TINTON FALLS (AP) — Two Elizabeth men face several charges after they allegedly fled from a highway crash this week and took a taxi to the beach, spurring a search that led to five schools being put on lockdown.

The Asbury Park Press reports that 30-year-old Yusein Soler was charged with eluding, assault by auto by driving while intoxicated and endangering an injured victim. His passenger, 20-year-old Francisco Sanchez, was charged with eluding and other counts.

Authorities say Soler's car collided with another vehicle Thursday morning near Exit 109 of the Garden State Parkway. The driver of the other car was treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

Authorities say Soler and Sanchez apparently fled the accident scene on foot. Officers with K9 dogs set up a perimeter around the scene of the crash, and five schools in Tinton Falls were briefly locked down as a precaution.

Police soon learned that the men had called a cab, and officers were waiting for them at Jenkinson's Pavilion in Point Pleasant Beach when they arrived.

Sanchez was charged with eluding and other counts. His bail was set at $2,500, while bail for Soler was set at $25,110.

Telephone numbers for Soler and Sanchez could not be located Saturday. It wasn't known if either man had retained an attorney.

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