On Sunday, December 29, 2019, at approximately 6:31 pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of State Highway 37 and Commonwealth Blvd., to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2016, Kia Sportage, stationary in the intersection of SH 37 westbound and Commonwealth Blvd. A female pedestrian was lying in the middle of the intersection, alongside the Kia. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Kia was being operated westbound on SH 37, and was stopped at a red traffic signal at the intersection with Commonwealth Blvd. When the traffic signal turned green, the Kia accelerated into the intersection of SH 37 and Commonwealth Blvd., striking the female pedestrian.
The Kia was being operated by Kathy Piccoli, age 56 of Lakehurst. The pedestrian was identified as 41 year old Bonnie Caso of Manchester. It was determined that the pedestrian crossed the eastbound lanes of SH 37 within the crosswalk, and then left the crosswalk and walked diagonally across the SH 37 westbound lanes. During this time, the westbound traffic signal turned green, and the Kia travelled forward, striking the pedestrian at a low speed within the intersection, causing her to fall to the ground.
The pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries. She was assessed on scene and transported to Community Medical Center by Quality Medical Transport and MONOC Paramedics.
This crash investigation is ongoing and being conducted by Ptl. Jesse Hoydis of the Manchester Police Department’s Traffic Safety Section.