MANCHESTER – A motorcyclist was hospitalized after a major crash in Manchester Township Sunday afternoon, police said.
The crash occurred around 1:11 p.m. at the intersection of County Route 571 and Beacon Street. A 2024 black Kawasaki Vulcan S was traveling eastbound on County Route 571 in the left lane, while a silver 2004 Toyota Camry was traveling northbound on Beacon Street and stopped at the stop sign located at the intersection of County Route 571.
According to police, the Toyota proceeded into the intersection and the motorcyclist observed the Toyota entering his lane of travel.
At that time, the motorcyclist began to brake to avoid a collision, which caused him to lose control and fall to the pavement. The motorcycle slid on the road without him and the motorcyclist rolled across the pavement, hitting the front end of the Toyota.
Following the impact, the Toyota reversed, causing the motorcyclist to be dragged about 11 feet due to him being stuck underneath the vehicle.
The motorcyclist, 30-year-old Collins Oluleti of Toms River, suffered a severe head injury. He was transported via medevac helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he is listed as critical.
Police said that Collins was wearing an approved DOT helmet, but the helmet fell off while he was sliding on the pavement prior to him impacting the Toyota.
The driver of the Toyota, 26-year-old Andy Hernandez-Cheneaux of Toms River, was uninjured as a result of the crash. The Toyota’s three additional passengers, 25-year-old Xiomara Lezama-Briceno of Toms River, 24-year-old Geraldine Requena-Carrasco of Manchester, and 28-year-old Juan Lezama-Briceno of Toms River, were also uninjured. There was no airbag deployment from the Toyota, police said.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from Ridgeway Volunteer and Manchester Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics and Life Flight.
The investigation is ongoing. However, police determined that failure to yield right of way at an intersection appears to be the primary contributing factor.
This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Michael O’Hara and Ptl. Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.
