By: Richard L. Smith
A 16-year-old lost his life Wednesday evening following a devastating crash between a pickup truck and a passenger car in Jackson Township, authorities confirmed.
According to a statement released by Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz, the collision occurred just before 6 p.m. on East Veterans Highway near Westlake Court.
Investigators said the pickup truck, traveling eastbound, veered into the westbound lane and struck the car head-on.
Witnesses at the scene pulled the teen from the burning vehicle and immediately began CPR until first responders arrived. Despite continued life-saving efforts by police, firefighters, and EMS crews, the teenager, who has not been publicly identified, suffered catastrophic injuries.
He was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he was later pronounced dead.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames while emergency crews worked to stabilize the victim. 
Police have not released details regarding the driver of the pickup truck, and it remains unclear whether the teenager had been operating the car or was a passenger.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Jackson Police Department.