MANCHESTER – Thirteen individuals were hospitalized as a result of a two-car crash Tuesday morning, police said.
Around 8:30 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of County Route 571 and County Route 547 for a crash involving a Transit van carrying students.
A black 2023 Ford Transit Passenger Van, driven by 20-year-old Dvora Katz of Jackson, was traveling southbound on County Road 547 through the traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 571.
According to police, a white 2020 Acura TLX, driven by 53-year-old Tracey Kahn of Forked River, was attempting to make a left turn onto County Road 571 northbound. During that time, the Acura made the left in front of the Ford Van, causing the van to impact the passenger side of the Acura.
The Acura was then pushed off the roadway by the Ford, the front end of the Acura impacted a black 2024 Mini Cooper which was parked in the parking lot of 3875 Ridgeway Road, police said.
Kahn sustained facial lacerations and was transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River. Katz also sustained facial lacerations and was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune.
The Ford Van was carrying 11 juvenile students, ranging in age, to school, police said. Four were transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune via ambulance to be further evaluated for their injuries. The remaining seven students were brought to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for treatment of minor injuries via ambulance.
All individuals involved are currently listed in stable condition, police said.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, and EMTs from Hatzolah of Central Jersey.
The crash remains under investigation. However, failure to yield the right of way at an intersection and improper turning are the contributing factors of the crash.
This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.
