Manchester Twp NJ – Police in Manchester Township are investigating a crash that left people injured on Route 70 on Monday afternoon.
According to a statement released by police, at approximately 3:48 pm, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Route 70 near mile marker 34.5, in the Whiting section of the Township, to investigate a severe motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles.
Police say initial reports indicated that there were multiple injuries and that at least one person was trapped in a vehicle.
Upon officers arrival, police observed a black, 2001, Mercedes CK5 on its passenger side off of the westbound side of the roadway against several trees. The Mercedes was only occupied by one person, and that individual was pinned inside and suspended by the vehicle’s seatbelt.
Police say officers also located a blue, 2010, Mazda 3 with extensive front end and driver’s side damage facing east in the westbound shoulder.
According to police, the initial investigation revealed that the Mercedes was traveling eastbound on Route 70 when it crossed the center line and collided with the Mazda which was traveling westbound.
The impact caused the Mercedes to spin and eventually roll onto its passenger side. Upon doing so, it slid off the roadway and collided with several trees. The Mazda also spun and slid a substantial distance before coming to rest in the westbound shoulder police said in the statement.
Police say, David Arce, 28, of Brick, was extricated by first responders and airlifted by paramedics to Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton for treatment of serious leg and internal injuries.
According to police, the driver of the Mazda, 31-year-old, Pablo Nunez of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst sustained injuries to his arm while his front seat passenger, 20-year-old, Leighanne Brown of Berlin suffered a head injury. Both were both transported to Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Burlington by ambulance.
The back seat passenger, 19-year-old, Rachel Goretskie of Browns Mills was uninjured and refused any medical treatment at the scene. The roadway was closed for several hours while emergency workers tended to the injured, and while officers investigated according to police.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.