Woman Dies After Car Runs Red Light, Crashes On Manahawkin Highway: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — An 82-year-old woman died after the driver of the car she was in ran a red light and collided with another vehicle, Stafford police said.

The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on July 10 at the intersection of Mill Creek Road and Route 72, police said in a news release.

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Victor Costa, a 72-year-old Manahawkin man, was heading east on Route 72 when he failed to stop at a red light, causing his Pontiac to collide with a Subaru being driven by a 69-year-old Absecon woman that was heading north on Mill Creek Road, police said.

Costa's front seat passenger, 82-year-old Janet Papovitch, also of Manahawkin, was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center for treatment. There, medical personnel determined she had sustained "extensive internal injures" and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, police said.

On July 13, Papovitch died from her injuries, police said.

Both drivers were hospitalized with injuries believed to be minor, police said.

The Stafford Township Police Department's Traffic Safety Bureau continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional information, including surveillance or dash camera footage, is asked to contact Traffic Safety Officer Christopher Smith by email at ctsmith@staffordpdnj.gov or by telephone at (609) 597-1189, ext. 8474.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.