On Monday, June 6, 2022, at approximately 10:25 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the intersection of State Highway 70 and Manchester Boulevard/Beckerville Road for the report over an overturned dump truck.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2005 Peterbuilt Dump Truck overturned on its passenger side on the dirt shoulder of State Highway 70 east, and a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox with extensive rear end damage on the east bound shoulder of State Highway 70. The investigation revealed that a vehicle was attempting to make a left hand turn from State Highway 70 east onto Beckerville Road. The Chevrolet Equinox was also traveling east on State Highway 70 when the driver observed the vehicle making a left hand turn and began to slow down. The Chevrolet Equinox after slowing down, began to pass the vehicle making a left hand turn on the passenger side. The Peterbuilt Dump Truck was also traveling east on State Highway 70 behind the Chevrolet Equinox. As the Chevrolet Equinox maneuvered around the vehicle making the left hand turn, it was impacted on the passenger side rear by the driver side front of the Peterbuilt Dump Truck. The impact caused the Cheverolet Equinox to continue east on State Highway 70 and came to final rest on the east bound shoulder of State Highway 70. After the initial impact, the Peterbuilt Dump Truck veered to the right and applied the brakes. The Peterbuilt Dump Truck then made another steering maneuver in an attempt to regain control of the vehicle. This steering maneuver caused the Peterbuilt Dump Truck to overturn on its passenger side. At the time of the crash the Peterbuilt Dump Truck was hauling approximately 39,000 pounds of sand.
The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox was identified as, 73-year-old, Luis A. Cruz, of Whiting, NJ, who did not sustain any injuries as a result of the crash. The driver of the Peterbuilt Dump Truck, was identified as 64 year-old, Joseph W. Cook, of Ewing, NJ. Mr. Cook sustained several lacerations to his head and upper body, as a result of the crash and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment and evaluation of his injuries. Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, Fire Fighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department Fire Police, and Accurate Towing. The roadway was partially closed during the rescue and cleanup. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, following too closely appears to be the contributing factor.
This Crash is being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety section.