On Thursday, October 31st, 2013 at approximately 12:43 pm, a 1995 Honda Civic traveling west on State Highway 70, near milepost 41.5 crossed over into oncoming traffic, setting off a chain reaction of events which caused a four car collision and closed the roadway for several hours. The driver of the Honda was identified as 19 year old Kyriph Wallace, who resides in Lakewood. After crossing the centerline of the roadway, the Honda impacted head-on with a 2010 Subaru Forester which was traveling east on State Highway 70. The Subaru was being operated by 74 year old Frank Dreifus, who resides in Whiting. The third vehicle involved in the collision was a 2004 Ford E350 Van which was traveling west on State Highway 70. The Van was being operated by 49 year old Elma Evans of Brick. Also involved in the collision was a 2008 Buick Lucerne, which was being operated by 70 year old David Rockhill of Whiting and his two passengers; Frank Trauger, 71 of Lambertville and Giacinto D’Agostino, 72 of Cream Ridge. The Buick was traveling east on State Highway 70. Based on preliminary information gathered at the scene, it appears that all drivers involved in this collision were restrained by seatbelts. There were also multiple air-bag deployments in all three passenger cars involved. The driver of the Honda, Mr. Wallace, suffered multiple internal injuries and leg fractures. He was flown to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune by Medivac Helicopter. The driver of the Subaru, Mr. Dreifus, suffered a head injury. He was also flown to Jersey Shore University Hospital. The other two drivers involved, Ms. Evans and Mr. Rockhill suffered only minor injuries which consisted of complaints of head and knee pain. They were both transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River. The two passengers of the Buick refused medical attention at the scene. Currently, the cause of the accident is under investigation, and the use of a cell phone has not been eliminated.
Drivers are reminded that one text or call could wreck it all. Assisting at the scene were Paramedics from MONOC, Quality Medical Transport, Firefighters from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Lakehurst Joint Base Fire Department, Whiting Fire Police, New Jersey Department of Transportation Emergency Response Team, The Ocean County Prosecutors Office Vehicular Homicide Unit, the Ocean County Prosecutors High Tech Crimes Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistic Investigations Unit, members of the New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Unit. This crash is under investigation by Patrolman Antonio Ellis and patrolman Thomas O’Hare of the Manchester Traffic.