On Sunday, October 6, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Route 539 at the intersection of Cherry Street in the Whiting section of town to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving multiple vehicles and a motorcyclist.

Upon arrival, officers observed a 2007 Honda Motorcycle on its side with the driver of the Motorcycle unresponsive. The investigation revealed that the motorcycle was traveling southbound on Route 539 when the operator apparently lost control, causing the motorcycle to strike a 2004 Jeep Liberty which was stopped in traffic southbound, preparing to make a left turn on to Cherry Street. After striking the Jeep, the motorcycle and motorcyclist continued into the opposing lane of traffic where the motorcyclist was struck by a 2017 Lexus NX200T. The motorcycle was being operated by Herbert W. Genne Jr., 65, of Whiting. The Jeep was being operated by Daniel Dewey, 41, of Browns Mills and the Lexus was being operated by Gail T. Lamanna, 62, of Allentown, NJ. Immediate rescue efforts were initiated on Herbert Genne, but were unsuccessful. Herbert Genne Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene by MONOC Paramedics. Dewey and Lamanna were both uninjured in the crash and refused medical treatment. The roadway was closed for several hours following the crash while the investigation was conducted.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, MONOC Paramedics, Quality Medical Transport and the Whiting Volunteer First Aid Squad. The investigation is still pending, but at this point, driver error on the part of the motorcyclist appears to be a contributing factor in the crash. The Crash is being investigated by Ptl. Anderson with the assistance of Sgt. Ellis and Ptl. Hoydis of the Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.