NJ State Trooper Dies After Being Struck by Car

New Jersey State Police have suspended their search for a man being sought in connection with an incident that led to a trooper's death Sunday.

Marc Castellano, 29,  died at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie arrived at the hospital yesterday afternoon to spend time with the family.

The extensive search for the man began shortly after Castellano was struck around 10 a.m. Sunday in a westbound lane of Interstate 195 in Howell. At the time, he was assisting in the search for two people who had reportedly abandoned a vehicle.

The abandoned auto's driver, 30-year-old Diana Hoffman of Blackwood, was later found hiding nearby in the woods and was taken into custody.

Hoffman told authorities that a man was riding with her, and dozens of troopers, local police and other law enforcement personnel spent hours looking for him.

But Capt. Gerald Lewis Jr. said Sunday night that investigators were questioning the validity'' of Hoffman's claims.

Trooper Castellano had served with the State Police for five years. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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