On Monday, February 18, 2013 at approximately 10:58 am, a silver 2012 Jeep Liberty was traveling northbound on County Route 539 and left the roadway striking a utility pole and overturning before striking a tree in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard, located in the Whiting Section of the Township. The driver, 70 year old Robert S. Olsen of Allentown, New Jersey, was properly restrained at the time of the collision and was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by MONOC Medevac for chest injuries. The passenger, Robert Olsen’s wife, 70 year old Karen Olsen also from Allentown, New Jersey, was also properly restrained and had to be extricated from the vehicle. The passenger was transported by Quality Medical Transport to Community Medical Center for severe head trauma and then airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Karen Olsen succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore University Medical Hospital. Robert Olsen is currently listed in stable condition. The Olsen’s dog was also traveling with them at the time of the collision and suffered severe injuries to its back and legs. The dog was transported by the Manchester Animal Control to the Ocean County Veterinarian where it was euthanized due to the extent of its injuries. Assisting at the scene was the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Paramedics from MONOC, Quality Medical Transport, the Ocean County Criminalistic Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The crash remains under investigation by Patrolman Ian Bole and Patrolman Doug Higgins from the Manchester Township Traffic Safety Section.
