Two Manchester Men Injured In Route 70 Crash In Toms River

Two Manchester men have been taken to the hospital with injuries after a head-on collision on Route 70 Thursday morning, Toms River police said.

Motorists driving along Route 70 near Lake Ridge Boulevard should exercise caution as police and investigators remain on the scene trying to determine the cause of the crash, police said.

Anthony Church, 76 of Manchester, and Lawrence Misita, 85, of the Whiting section, both were injured in the crash, which happened shortly before 10 a.m., said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

Stocco said the crash, just wet of Lake Ridge Boulevard, happened when the 2014 Chevy Cruze driven eastbound on 70 by Misita crossed the center double yellow line and hit Church’s 2015 Hyundai Elantra, which was westbound, head-on.

Both drivers were trapped in their cars after the collision for a short time, Stocco said.

Church had numerous injuries and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s trauma unit by Toms River EMS and MONOC paramedics, Stocco said. Misita was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment of a back injury, he said.

The incident is being investigated by Officer Krzysztof Kowalczyk and no determination as to the cause of the crash or potential motor vehicle charges has been determined at this time, Stocco said. Officers continue to be on the scene. Traffic is slowed in the area but is not diverted.

(Photo courtesy of Toms River Police Department)