Long Branch defense attorney charged with leaving scene of hit-and-run accident

LONG BRANCH â€" Ocean County authorities today charged a Long Branch criminal defense attorney with leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident in Toms River last week and letting his assistant take the blame for it.

John Koufos, 34, was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated assault, hindering his own apprehension and witness tampering, said Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford.

Koufos, a Brick resident, was on his way from an Ocean County Bar Association gathering at Gabriella’s restaurant in Ortley Beach when he struck Kevin O’Brien, 17, of Newtown, Pa., with his 2011 Lexus in the Silver Beach section of Toms River on June 17, said Deputy Chief Michael Mohel, a spokesman for Ford.

Koufos’ assistant, Craig Terlizzi, 40, of Brick, initially was charged in the hit-and-run. Ford said Terlizzi admitted to operating the car around the time of the accident.

"Our investigation now reveals Mr. Terlizzi’s statements in connection with that investigation were false and made with the intent of shielding his employer, attorney John Koufos, from responsibility for the accident," Ford said.

Ford said she dropped one charge against Terlizzi but added a new charge of hindering an investigation because of the alleged false statements.

O’Brien, who was on vacation with is family, was on his way from getting ice cream when the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said at the time the car hit O’Brien on the shoulder of Route 35 north then immediately sped off. The vehicle, with a broken windshield, was found shortly before midnight in Mantoloking.

O’Brien was in critical condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune but has been improving, Mastronardy said today.

Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels set bail for Koufos at $150,000 and ordered he have no contact with Terlizzi, Ford said.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Ocean County prosecutor’s Detective David Margentino at 732-929-2027 or Officer Michael Brosnan and Cpl. Gary Flynn of the Toms River Police Department at 732-349-0150