Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
Toms River police are conducting an investigation into an automobile accident between two cars that occurred Thursday in the township, near the intersection of Route 70 and Whitesville Road, which eventually impacted an additional four vehicles. Meanwhile, township and police officials are engaging the state in talks aimed at improving the busy intersection, which has become more dangerous in recent years.
According to police spokeswoman Jillian Messina, police were dispatched to the intersection oat 7:40 a.m. for reports of a multi-vehicle crash.
Nicholas Williams, 26 of Edgewater, told police he was driving eastbound on Route 70, proceeding straight ahead at the intersection with Whitesville Road. As he approached the intersection, his traffic signal changed from green to yellow. An unknown dark-colored, medium-sized Nissan sedan traveling west on Route 70 made a left turn right in front of him at this intersection, he said.
Williams told police he braked hard and swerved to the right to avoid this sedan but then collided with the stopped traffic on Whitesville Road with the passenger side front of his truck. After colliding with several cars his truck drove over the curb and came to rest in a grassy area on the southeast corner of the intersection. In total there were six cars involved in the accident, four with significant damage that needed to be towed from the scene.
Two people at the scene were transported to Community Medical Center where they were treated for moderate injuries.
“The Toms River Traffic Safety unit has contacted the state regarding the high volume of crashes at that intersection and will be conducting additional patrols in the area,” said Messina.
“Please do not try to beat the light when you are approaching any intersection with an amber light,” a statement from police said. “Follow the rules of the road, avoid distractions, and always be courteous when driving. We want everyone to get to their destination safely.”
The crash is being investigated by Toms River Traffic Safety Officer Terry Warren.
