By: Richard L. Smith
Ocean County authorities are investigating a serious head-on crash that injured several people Friday evening in Manchester Township.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, officers responded at approximately 7:50 p.m. on May 15 to Route 70 near mile marker 34 after receiving reports of a serious motor vehicle collision.
An initial investigation found that a 2025 Ford Ranger was traveling eastbound on Route 70 when it allegedly attempted to pass another vehicle by entering the westbound lane unsafely.
Authorities said the Ford then collided head-on with a 2022 Hyundai Elantra traveling westbound with a driver and two passengers inside.
All occupants from both vehicles were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where they were listed in stable condition.
Responding officers said they detected the odor of alcohol from the driver of the Ford Ranger and observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities obtained a court-authorized blood draw from the driver at the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s