MANCHESTER – A head-on collision left one driver with extensive injuries Wednesday evening, police said.
The crash occurred around 11:24 p.m. on Route 70 near mile marker 34.5. A 2014 Acura MDX was traveling westbound while a 2007 Ford Escape was traveling eastbound on Route 70.
According to police, the Acura crossed over the centerline attempting to pass two vehicles and as a result entered the Ford’s path of travel.
Both cars attempted to avoid the collision by swerving towards the eastbound shoulder of the roadway, police said. Subsequently, the front driver side of the Acura impacted the front driver side of the Ford. The force made the Ford to rotate clockwise and be redirected into the wood line where the front end impacted a tree, police said.
The driver and sole occupant of the Acura, 61-year-old Scott Steward of Browns Mills, sustained minor injuries and refused further medical attention on scene.
The driver and sole occupant of the Ford, 22-year-old Jake Fee of East Windsor, NJ, sustained extensive injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
At the time of the crash, both drivers were found to be wearing seatbelts, police said.
Authorities states that driver error while attempting to pass multiple vehicles is the cause of the crash. However, investigation is ongoing.
Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, South Toms River First Aid, On-time First Aid, firefighters from Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Joint Base MDL Fire Company, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, as well as, officers from Pemberton Township Police Department and detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit.
The crash is being investigated by Patrolman Sage Sysol and Patrolman Michael O’Hara of the Manchester Township Traffic Safety Unit.
