UPDATE! Monday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Monmouth & Ocean counties and around New Jersey.

TOMS RIVER - A Toms River 18-year-old is hospitalized and faces a raft of driving offenses following a predawn Sunday crash in the township. Police say Christopher Ryan had six other teens in the speeding car that slid across Michigan Avenue and hit a utility box and a tree just before five a-m. Two passengers told police they'd all been at a drinking party and had asked to be let out of the car. Ryan and 15-year-old Nicholas Corsair were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

TOMS RIVER - New Jersey prosecutors will recommend eight years in state prison for the man who enabled a Toms River contractor to steal $600,000 from the Hoboken Parking Utility . John Corea, 47, pleaded guilty to official misconduct Fiday in Ocean County. Corea admitted steering three contracts to United Textile Fabricators to collect coins from the city's parking meters while he headed the agency. As part of his agreement, prosecutors will also recommend that Corea undergo three years' parole and reimburse the city $300,000. Brian Petraccio, 51, of Toms River pleaded guilty to theft of more $1,000,000 in 2009, admitting that he returned $575,000 but kept an additional $600,000. He may be sentenced to as many as seven years and also be responsible for $300,000 in restitution. Both will be sentenced in February.

 TOMS RIVER - It could have ended much worse for Robert Polozzo of Toms River when his SUV skidded and flipped over on Route 37 Sunday night. Police say the 43-year-old hit his brakes to avoid a car that suddenly stopped, propelling him through the median fence before overturning in the opposite lanes. Police say Polozzo declined medical treatment but the car driven by 24-year-old Nicholas Danyo was smacked with debris as it maneuvered the crash scene. It's still under investigation.

TOMS RIVER - The cost of a gallon of regular dips a penny in Toms River but nearly a nickel nationally, says the Minnesota-based Gas Buddy organization. It's averaging $3.06 in Ocean County and about $3.23 nationwide. Locally it's almost 18 cents more than a year ago but nearly 13 cents lower than this point in November. Analysts expect record highs by Christmas.

MANCHESTER - Manchester Police are investigating an accident on Route 70 in whiting. It happened last night and occupants of the vehicle were airlifted to area trauma centers with serious injuries. Police have yet to release any further details.

JACKSON - A father and son out for a weekend pheasant hunt in Jackson both wind up nursing minor shooting injuries. State officials say they occurred Saturday morning in the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area - the second instance while discussing the first one with authorities.

OLD BRIDGE - A troubling end for the Old Bridge couple who left their two toddler daughters orphaned in an apparent murder-suicide last week. Heather Trapp's death is listed as a homicide by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner, who noted several stab wounds. Autopsy results are due on Anthony Trapp, who was found dead in an upstate New York motel room. Their daughters are now in the care of relatives.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS - Authorities in Seaside Heights are calling a pilot program for collecting unused prescription drugs a success. Reports say during a one month test, 20 pounds of unused or expired pills were collected to make sure they don't get abused by kids and teens. Project Medicine Drop is expected to be tested in other towns around the state.

TRENTON - A bill to strengthen New Jersey's evacuation procedures clears the Assembly and awaits reconciliation in the Senate. The measure by shore State Senator Chris Connors and Sssembly members Dianne Gove and Brian Rumpf would require annual public awareness efforts by emergency management coordinators, identification of schools that could serve as shelters, a comprehensive lane-reversal strategy for the Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway, and a special-needs registry.

WOODBRIDGE - Toll cheating is down and revenue is up on the Parkway. The turnpike authority says there's been a 15 percent increase in toll and violation revenues at unstaffed exact-change lanes since the start of photo enforcement in October...an extra $300,000.

ATLANTIC CITY (AP) -- A gambler at an Atlantic City casino has won $1 million on a $20 poker bet. The woman won the amount early yesterday as part of the "Three Card Poker 6 Card" bonus jackpot while playing at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City.