VINELAND – A severed toe found at the scene of a hit-and-run collision led police to the motorcyclist they cited for careless driving.

Officers found the foot fragment while searching Lincoln Avenue, near Brandywine Drive, after a driver reported a motorcyclist rear-ended her Toyota Camry about 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and then sped off.

Most of the motorcycle debris was pulled off the road before police arrived.

But Officer Anthony Capelli spotted something in the southbound lane that he said at first glance appeared to be human fingertip.

“A closer look revealed the object to be a human toe,” Capelli wrote in his report released Tuesday.

About 70 feet south of the intersection, Capelli found a foot peg with the “Harley Davidson” brand stamped on it and determined the toe might have belonged to the motorcyclist.

A short time later, police learned of a 28-year-old Buena Borough man seeking treatment at Inspira Medical Center Vineland for a foot injury that included an absent appendage.

The toe was collected from the road and Capelli transported it to the emergency room, turning it over to hospital staff.

Before heading into surgery, the motorcyclist told police he was driving along Lincoln Avenue when a driver pulled out in front of him, stopped suddenly and then made a left turn without signaling.

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The motorcyclist told police he hit the back of the car as he tried to steer around it. He didn’t stop because he wanted to get to hospital due to his foot injury, he said.

Investigators noted the motorcyclist was a few minutes away from the hospital, but instead drove a farther distance to his father’s home and got a ride to Inspira.

His girlfriend, who was on the motorcycle at the time of the crash, was not injured.

The motorcyclist was cited for careless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, failure to report a crash, no driver’s license and driving on a suspended license.

Police reports did not specify if the toe was reattached.

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Deborah M. Marko is a senior reporter with The Daily Journal. Currently focused on breaking news and education issues, she also oversees community outreach programs that promote literacy and public safety. Got a story idea? Call 856-563-5256. Follow on Twitter: @dmarko_dj Instagram: deb.marko.dj