Manahawkin Dump Truck Driver Runs Red Light, 3 Injured: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — Three people were injured after a dump truck ran a red light on Manchester Boulevard, hitting two other vehicles, including an Ocean Ride bus, and causing a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning, Manchester police said.

Eric Bair, 24, of Manahawkin, Betty Brushaber, 62, of South Toms River, and Jeffery Allen, 55, of Whiting, were injured and taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment after the crash, Capt. Vincent Manco said, but none had life-threatening injuries.

Bair was driving a white 2021 Ford F450 dump truck north on Manchester Boulevard at about 8:15 a.m. when he did not stop for a red light, Manco said. He hit a black 2011 Ford Escape driven by Allen, who was heading west through the intersection from Wranglebrook Road to Pleasant Valley Road, Manco said.

The Escape was driven into the northbound lane of Manchester Boulevard and the dump truck into the southbound lane of Manchester Boulevard due to impact.

The dump truck then hit a white 2014 Ford E450 Ocean Ride bus driven by Brushaber, who was stopped at the light, Manco said. The dump truck hit the Ocean Ride bus head-on, then ran off the road.

The impact caused the Ocean Ride bus to rotate on its rear driver's side tires, which made the back corner of the bus hit the passenger side of a white 2019 Mercedes Benz A22. Angel Plunkett, 64, who was driving the Mercedes, and her 6-month-old grandchild were not injured, Manco said.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Manchester Division of Emergency Services, he said.
The preliminary investigation found the failure to observe a traffic signal and careless driving are contributing factors, Manco said.

Patrolmen Jesse Hoydis and Connor Yatauro of the department's Traffic Safety section are investigating.

This story contains reporting by Karen Wall.