1 Hospitalized In 4-Vehicle Chain Reaction Crash: Stafford Police

STAFFORD, NJ — A four-vehicle crash on Route 9 near Littleworth Road in Stafford Township sent one driver to a trauma center Thursday afternoon and temporarily reduced traffic to one lane, according to the Stafford Township Police Department.

Police reported that officers responded to the crash on Oct. 29 at about 4:21 p.m. The investigation determined that Edgar Eduardo Landa Gonzales, 28, of Barnegat, was traveling northbound on Route 9 in a white 2017 Ford Explorer when he struck the rear of a vehicle that was stopped at a red traffic signal.

According to police, the force of that impact pushed the stopped vehicle into the vehicle ahead of it, causing a chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles. The driver of the vehicle that was hit first was taken to a trauma center in Atlantic City for further medical evaluation. Police reported that the driver was later treated and released from the emergency department.

The remaining three drivers reported no injuries, according to the police department. As a result of the investigation, Gonzales was issued motor vehicle summonses for Careless Driving, under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97, and Following Too Closely, under N.J.S.A. 39:4-89.

Police reported that Gonzales' vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed from the scene. Route 9 was temporarily reduced to one lane while officers investigated the crash, assisted the people involved and directed traffic around the scene.