On Friday, March 16, 2018, at approximately 2:21 a.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of State Highway 70 near mile post 43, in the Whiting section of the Township, for a report of an overturned vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers located a 2001, Chrysler PT Cruiser on its driver’s side with its female operator trapped inside. The driver, identified as 58-year-old Whiting resident, Theresa Arena, was conscious and alert, however, her left arm was pinned between the vehicle and roadway. Ms. Arena was extricated from the vehicle by members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and subsequently airlifted by medevac helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of her injuries.
The investigation revealed that Ms. Arena was driving westbound on Route 70 when she left her travel lane. After doing so, Ms. Arena crossed the shoulder of the roadway and struck the adjacent guardrail with the front passenger corner of her vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle to overturn onto the driver’s side. Ms. Arena, who was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash, is currently listed in stable condition.
The roadway was closed in both directions for several hours while the investigation was being conducted and while the roadway was cleared. Assisting at the scene were members of the Lakehurst Police Department, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and New Jersey State Diversion Team. Also assisting were EMTs from Quality Medical Transport and paramedics from MONOC. This crash is being investigated by Sergeant Antonio Ellis and Patrolman Michael Anderson of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.