TOMS RIVER – After a woman ran a stop sign and collided into a tree this morning, a nine-year-old girl in the van passed away from her injuries, police said.
Toms River Township Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina told Jersey Shore Online officers were dispatched to the intersection of Whitty Road and North Bay Avenue around 9:16 a.m. regarding a motor vehicle accident.
According to investigation, 38-year-old Baila Gross of Lakewood was driving east on Whitty Road when she failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of North Bay Avenue. She then drove through the intersection and struck a tree head-on.
Both Toms River CSOs and Silverton EMS were at the scene and quickly rendered aid to occupants. One of the passengers, a minor, received CPR and continued during transport to Community Medical Center. At the hospital, the girl succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
Messina said there was no indication of driver impairment, and all four occupants were restrained at the time of the crash.
The Lakewood Scoop identified the victim as 9-year-old Leah Gross.
At this time, the accident remains under investigation by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Ryan Fitzgerald and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Summons pending at this time.
