April 16, 2024
Manchester Township NJ (OCEAN)– On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at approximately 08:30 a.m. officers of the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of County Route 571 and County Route 547 for the report of a two-car motor vehicle crash, involving a Transit Van carrying students to school.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed a white 2020 Acura TLX located facing north on the property of 3875 Ridgeway Road (CR 571) with extensive passenger side damage and a black 2023 Ford Transit Passenger Van facing west, with the front end of the vehicle on the property of 3875 Ridgeway Road (CR 571). The black 2023 Ford Transit Passenger Van had extensive front-end damage. The investigation revealed that the Ford was traveling southbound on County Road 547 through the traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 571. The Acura was attempting to make a left turn onto County Road 571 northbound. At that time, the Acura made a left turn from the center travel lane in front of the Ford. The Ford impacted the Acura on the passenger side with the front end. The Acura was pushed off the roadway by the Ford, the front end of the Acura impacted a black 2024 Mini Cooper which was parked in the parking lot of 3875 Ridgeway Road.
The driver of the Acura, identified as 53-year-old, Tracey Kahn of Forked River, NJ, sustained facial lacerations. She was transported by Ambulance to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. The driver of the ford, identified as 20-year-old, Dvora Katz of Jackson, NJ, also sustained facial lacerations. She was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, NJ. The Ford was carrying eleven juvenile students to school. The juvenile students ranged in age and four juveniles were transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, NJ via ambulance to be further evaluated for their injuries. The remaining seven juveniles were transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for treatment of minor injuries via ambulance. All involved individuals are currently listed in stable condition.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, and EMTs from Hatzolah of Central Jersey. The investigation into this crash is still on going, however, failure to yield the right of way at an intersection and improper turning appear to be the primary contributing factors. This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.
