On Monday, February 26, 2018, at approximately 09:16 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Hudson City Plaza on Route 70, to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle which had driven into the front of a local pizzeria.
Upon arrival, officers observed a silver, 2011, Toyota Camry parked on the sidewalk in front of Lubrano’s Pizzeria with significant front end damage. The front of the establishment, which was comprised of full-view glass and metal support framing was also heavily damaged. Additionally, officers located a brown, 2010, Ford Edge parked in the vicinity of the pizzeria with passenger’s side damage.
The initial investigation revealed that the operator of the Toyota, 91-year-old, Ruth Aboff of Manchester, was initially backing into a parking space in the plaza when she collided with the passenger’s side of the Ford Edge. After doing so, Ms. Aboff accelerated forward striking the parking block and curb and driving over the sidewalk and into the front of the restaurant. Ms. Aboff was treated at the scene and was ultimately transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for further treatment and evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. The restaurant was unoccupied at the time of the collision and no other injuries were reported. Due to the extent of the damage to the pizzeria it was ordered to be closed pending structural repairs by the Manchester Township Building Inspector.
Assisting at the scene were firefighters from the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, and EMTs from Quality Medical Transport. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Jesse Hoydis of the department’s Patrol Bureau and Patrolman Ian Bole of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.