Police, Fire & Courts

Passenger Assisting Disabled ‘Trump RV’ Killed in Route 37 Accident

by
Daniel Nee
October 14, 2019

An RV promoting the re-election of President Donald Trump, which was involved in an accident on Oct. 14. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

An RV promoting the re-election of President Donald Trump, which was involved in an accident on Oct. 14. This photo was taken the previous week. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A passenger in a motorhome and trailer that has been promoting the re-election of President Donald Trump throughout the Shore area in recent weeks has been killed in an accident.

According to Toms River police, Anne M. Lovallo, 56, of Keyport, was found unresponsive when police were called to the scene of the accident at 5:49 a.m. Monday. Last week, a Shorebeat reporter briefly met Lovallo while conducting an interview with Rocky Granata, who was operating the Trump-themed RV.

Police spokeswoman Jillian Messina said the RV and trailer had broken down near the intersection of Route 37 and Northampton Boulevard. While Lovallo was helping Granata with the vehicle, the trailer was struck by a vehicle being driven by Michael Martinez, 62, of Jackson, who was traveling eastbound. His vehicle struck the trailer which ultimately struck the victim where she was standing between the trailer and motor home, Messina said.

The motor home and trailer were disabled in the right travel lane with no operating lights while conditions were still dark and foggy, according to a police report. Lifesaving attempts were made, however Lovallo was pronounced deceased on scene.

Martinez was “very cooperative,” said Messina, and provided the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with consent to search his phone, and also consented to a voluntary blood sample which was provided.

There are no anticipated charges for Martinez at this stage of the investigation, police said.

The accident is being investigated by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen. Also responding on scene was Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Crime Scene Investigators and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.