On Sunday, August 14, 2022, at approximately 10:53 am, members of the Manchester Township Police responded to the area of Manchester Boulevard and Lacey Road for the report of a multi-vehicle collision with injuries and airbag deployment, in the Whiting section of the township. Upon arrival, officers located a gray 2010 Honda Accord, a blue 2018 Nissan Kick, a silver 2008 Saturn Aurora, a silver 2012 Toyota Tundra, and a gray 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe all with significant damage in the roadway. Whiting Fire extricated the driver of the Nissan and multiple air bags were deployed on the Honda, Nissan, and Saturn.
The investigation revealed that the Honda was traveling westbound on Manchester Boulevard when he failed to observe the traffic stopped ahead and rear-ended the Nissan causing it to cross the centerline and enter the opposing lane of travel. The Honda continued west after initial impact and then collided into the Saturn, the Saturn collided into the Toyota, and the Toyota subsequently collided into the Hyundai, all which were stopped at the red traffic signal.
The driver of the Honda, 60 year old David Williams of Jackson, and the driver of the Nissan, 53 year old Mary Ferguson of Toms River were both airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for the treatment of head injuries. The driver of the Saturn, 26 year old Dominque Swain of Toms River, was transported by ambulance to Community Medical Center for the treatment for neck and back injuries. The driver of the Toyota, 67 year old Tina Helbig of Manchester and front seat passenger 87 year old Carolyn Helbig also of Manchester, refused medical treatment. The driver of the Hyundai, 73 year old Beverly Muhammad of Whiting and the front seat passenger 83 year old Abdul Muhammad also of Whiting refused medical attention as well. Two juveniles, a 2 year old male and a 13 year old male of Brick Township, were properly restrained as occupants in the Nissan and medical attention was refused by a parent.
Manchester Boulevard was closed for several hours and traffic was diverted during the treatment of victims and accident investigation. Assisting at the scene was Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, EMTs with the Manchester Emergency Medical Services, Hackensack Meridian Medevac Helicopter Services, Ocean County Sherriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department. The crash remains under investigation by Sergeant Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.