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UPDATE: Two Killed in Monmouth County Crash

Manalapan Township

Authorities in Monmouth County are investigating the cause of a crash that killed two men in Manalapan Township Saturday night. 

According to a preliminary investigation,  just before 9:31 p.m., Manalapan Police responded to a single-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of Route 9,  just south of Smallwood Lane.

Officials said the investigation by the Monmouth County SCART Team and Manalapan Police Department revealed that a 2004 Infiniti G35 was traveling northbound when the driver somehow lost control and veered off the roadway.

According to officials, the vehicle crashed into a curb, utility pole and a guard rail before ending up in a wooded area approximately 100 yards from where the car left the roadway. 

Police said the two occupants in the vehicle, the driver, Mr. Jonathan Ramirez, 20, and Mr. Justin Rochford, 20, both of Spotswood, were identified. 

According to police, Rochford was pronounced dead on the scene while Ramirez was airlifted to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased at 1:24 a.m. 

If anyone witnessed the crash, please contact Monmouth County Detective Kristian DeVito at 800-533-7443 or Manalapan Police Department Patrolman Matthew Porricelli or Detective Dominic Donatelli at 732-446-4300

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