On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at approximately 04:28 pm, members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to County Route 530 in the area of Congasia Road in the Whiting section of the township, for the report of a collision involving multiple vehicles.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2016 Toyota Corolla with extensive front-end damage, with the driver still trapped inside the vehicle. Three additional vehicles, including a utility trailer were also located in the roadway. The investigation revealed that a Dodge Ram, being operated by 54 year old Bruce Hay of Whiting, was traveling east on Route 530 when his utility trailer suddenly dislodged from the tow hitch, extending the safety chains and separating from the truck. The operator of the Toyota, Marylou Bierwirth, age 80 of Whiting, was traveling west on Route 530 when she collided head on with the dislodged trailer. It was determined that Bierwirth was wearing a seatbelt and that the vehicle had multiple airbag deployments as a result of the crash. Bierworth was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by Robert Wood Johnson Flight medevac helicopter where she was listed in serious but stable condition.
A 2006 Acura operated by 20 year old, Kayleigh McDonough of Bayville and a 2013 Buick operated by 71 year old, Renette Jackson of Whiting were also involved in a collision. It was determined that both the Buick and Acura were traveling east on 530 when the operator of the Buick decelerated in response to the collision between the Toyota and the trailer. The Acura, which had been traveling behind the Buick, collided with the rear of the Buick.
All drivers were wearing their seatbelts and Renette Jackson had a complaint of pain, however refused medical treatment. The roadway was closed for a brief period of time while rescue efforts and the crash investigation were taking place.
Assisting at the scene were the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, Manchester Emergency Medical Services, and the Ocean County Road Department. The crash remains under investigation by Sergeant Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety section.