MANCHESTER – A Howell Township man drowned while swimming in Crystal Lake at the Heritage Minerals site in Manchester, police said.
According to police, 33-year-old Edwin Toro-Mejia and family members unlawfully entered the private, 7,000-acre tract around 9:30 a.m. Saturday to go swimming in Crystal Lake. Toro-Mejia and a juvenile family member were attempting to swim across the lake when Toro-Mejia suffered a muscle cramp in his leg about 30 yards from shore
Family members tried to aid Toro-Mejia, however he disappeared underwater, police said.
First responders searched the lake for about an hour and a half before Toro-Mejia was located unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased at the scene and authorities determined the drowning to be accidental.
Assisting with this investigation is the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Anyone who may have been at “Crystal Lake” and witnessed this incident is urged to contact Detective Richard Jupinka of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 732-657-2009 ext. 4206.
Police would like to remind the public that the Heritage Minerals or “ASARCO” site is private property and is closed for recreational and/or other use. Manchester Township Police urges everyone to obey the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the site.
Trespassers are subject to substantial fines and penalties up to and including incarceration for being on the property.
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