On Monday, May 15, 2017, at approximately 8:27 a.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Route 539 in the Whiting section of the Township to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving two commercial vehicles. Upon arrival, officers observed a red, 2001, Mack tri-axle dump truck facing south in the woods, wedged under several trees along the northbound portion of the roadway. Additionally, a yellow, 2013, Freightliner box truck was also located along the northbound shoulder of the roadway with damage to its driver’s side.
The investigation revealed that Freightliner was traveling north on Route 539 when it crossed the centerline of the roadway and collided with the Mack dump truck causing it to lose control, leave the roadway and collide with several trees. Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were disabled.
The driver of the Freightliner, 48-year-old, Pablo R. Cespedes of Passaic, NJ, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and was uninjured. The driver of the Mack tri-axle dump truck, 36-year-old Kevin M. Howell of Westville, NJ, was also wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and sustained injuries to his knees but refused further medical treatment.
Assisting at the scene were members of the Whiting Volunteer First Aid Squad. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.