On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at approximately 4:34 pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the intersection of Commonwealth Boulevard and Northampton Boulevard in the Pine Lake Park section of the township to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles with entrapment.
Upon arrival, officers observed a black, 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and a blue, 2012 Nissan Armada on the front lawn of a Commonwealth Boulevard residence. Both vehicles had extensive damage. The initial investigation revealed that the Hyundai was travelling northbound on Northampton Boulevard when it failed to stop at the stop sign and flashing red traffic signal at the intersection of Commonwealth Boulevard. As a result, it was struck while in the intersection by the Nissan, which was travelling westbound on Commonwealth Blvd. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to spin and travel off the roadway and onto the front lawn of a Commonwealth Boulevard residence.
The front seat passenger of the Hyundai, identified as 92-year-old, Loretta Sueiro of Manchester, was entrapped in the vehicle due to the damage and was thrown to the floor because she was not wearing her seatbelt. As a result, she had to be extricated by firefighters from the Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments. After being removed from the vehicle, Sueiro was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center via medivac helicopter for treatment and evaluation of her injuries. She was reportedly admitted into the Intensive Care Unit with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle, 66-year-old, Barbara Duffield of Manchester, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.
The driver of the Nissan, 42-year-old, Michael Moody of Toms River, also sustained non-life threatening injuries and was likewise transported to Community Medical Center. Moody’s rear seat passenger, a 5-year-old female, was also transported to Community Medical Center for a precautionary evaluation. She was discharged shortly thereafter.
The intersection was closed and traffic was diverted for several hours following the crash. Assisting at the scene were members of the Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as medical personnel from Holiday City EMS, Quality Medical Transport, MONOC, Toms River EMS, and Hackensack Air # 2. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, driver error appears to be a contributing factor. This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Jesse Hoydis of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.