On Monday, April 26, 2021, at approximately 8:33 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to a residence on Bellhaven Court, in the Whiting Section of Manchester Township, to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving a vehicle that collided into a residence.
Upon arrival, officers observed a 2013, Hyundai Santa Fe with heavy front end damage resting against a Bellhaven Court residence, as well as, extensive damage to the southwest corner of the structure. The initial investigation revealed that the Hyundai was stopped at the stop sign located at the intersection of Myrtle Place and Schoolhouse Road. At that time the operator of the Hyundai, identified as Patricia Roberts, 73-year-old of Forked River, NJ, suffered a possible medical episode causing her to inadvertently step on the accelerator causing the vehicle to travel across Schoolhouse Road. The Hyundai then proceeded to travel between two residences, where it impacted landscape bushes, a gutter, and part of an aluminum awning. The Hyundai then crossed Bellhaven Court where it subsequently impacted the southwest corner of a residence.
Roberts was conscious and alert at the time the officers arrived on scene and it was determined that she was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. The front seat passenger, identified as Bianca Lehman, 93 year-old of Whiting, NJ, was also wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision. The front airbags deployed as a result of the crash. Roberts was transported, via medevac helicopter, to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment and evaluation of apparent non-life-threatening injuries. Lehman was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ for treatment and evaluation of apparent non-life-threatening injuries. There were no occupants inside the residence at the time of the collision.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, the possible medical episode suffered by Roberts appears to be the main contributing factor. Assisting at the scene were EMTs from Manchester Township Emergency Services, as well as, paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Also assisting were members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, members of the Joint Base Fire Department, and the Manchester Township Building Inspector. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Michael O’Hara of the department’s Traffic Safety section.