Two Injured In Ocean County Head-On Crash

Photo courtesy Whiting Fire Company Sta. 33

  MANCHESTER – Two drivers are severely injured after a head-on collision Wednesday evening in Manchester Township, police said.

  The crash occurred around 5:24 p.m. in the area of County Route 539 near mile marker 26.0. A grey 2014 Chrysler 200 was traveling southbound on County Route 539, while a blue 2021 Chevrolet Spark was traveling northbound on County Route 539.

  According to police, the Chrysler had crossed over the centerline of the roadway and impacted the Chevrolet with the driver side front of the vehicle. The Chrysler then continued to go southbound about 150 ft. before coming to a stop facing south in the northbound travel lane of County Route 539. The Chevrolet rotated about 270 degrees and came to final rest facing east on the northbound grass shoulder, police said.

  The driver of the Chrysler, 62-year-old Troy Sullivan of Absecon, NJ, was medevac to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune with severe injuries to the entirety of his body. The driver of the Chevrolet, 54-year-old Wendy O’Neal of Hamilton, NJ, was also medevac to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune with severe injuries to both legs and upper body.

  Both are listed in stable condition, police said.

Photo courtesy Whiting Fire Company Sta. 33

  The crash remains under investigation. However, police believe, failure to maintain lane is the primary contributing factor.

  Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Division of Emergency Services, Fire Fighters and Fire Police from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Joint-Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Fighters, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Life Flight, and Hackensack Meridian AirMed.

  This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.