Trial of Hit-and-Run Boater Set to Begin

The trial of a man accused of killing an Essex Fells resident in a boating accident in August 2008 is set to begin next month after being pushed back from the fall, officials said.

Anthony Digilio, now 33, of Brick Township is facing charges of vehicular homicide and assault after authorities say he fled the scene of a late-night boating accident that killed Robert Post of Essex Fells.

Post had been piloting a 17-foot Boston Whaler when his boat, according to officials, collided with Digilio's, killing Post and injuring several others, two seriously.

Jury selection in the case is currently scheduled for March 26 with the trial expected to begin April 2, said Senior Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Hillary Bryce.

"We're hoping, looking at it, that it will be done in the month of April," Bryce said.

Delays in taking the case to trial have been due to Digilio's attorney, Joseph Tacopina of New York City, being busy with other cases there, said Bryce.

The accident took place near Gunner's Ditch at the mouth of the Metedeconk River and Barnegat Bay.

After the accident, authorities began hunting for the second boat involved.

On August 5, 2008, authorities seized Digilio's 27-foot Imperial performance boat, which they said had been involved in the crash.

At the time, Digilio's then-attorney William Cunningham told the Newark Star-Ledger that his client hit something that night, but was not sure what it was. Cunningham said Digilio stopped the boat, did not hear or see anything, then proceeded on his way, an article published in the newspaper said.

If convicted, Digilio faces 10 years behind bars for the vehicular homicide charge and 18 months each for the two assault by vessel charges.