2 Pedestrians Injured In 2 Hit-And-Run Crashes In Manchester, Drivers' Identities Sought

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two pedestrians were taken to the hospital after they were injured in a pair of hit-and-run crashes in Manchester on Sunday, police said Monday.

The hit-and-runs happened a few hours apart, Sgt. Joseph Fastige said. Authorities are seeking tips from the public identifying the vehicles or the drivers.

Daniel Beatty, 71, of Manchester, suffered injuries to his head and left hand when he was hit on Northampton Boulevard near the exit of the Silverwoods Independent Living, Fastige said.

Beatty, who was conscious and alert, told police he was crossing East Point Drive at the intersection of Northampton Boulevard just before 1 p.m. when a pick-up truck leaving Silverwoods ignored a stop sign and hit him, Fastige said. Beatty was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River and his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, he said.

Beatty described the pickup as a gray or silver older-model Chevrolet that appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed, Fastige said. The pickup was last seen on Northampton Boulevard headed toward Route 37, he said.

The preliminary investigation found failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield to a pedestrian are the primary causes of the crash, he said.

The second hit-and-run happened just before 8 p.m. Sunday, Fastige said. Mark Bryan, 59, was hit on Route 37 as he was crossing at the intersection of Bone Hill Road by a dark-colored, possibly blue Hyundai sport utility vehicle.

The SUV was making a left turn from Buckingham Drive when it hit Bryan, knocking him to the ground, Fastige said. Bryan suffered injuries to the right side of his body, where the SUV hit him, and he was taken to Community Medical Center. His injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Fastige said.

Failure to yield to a pedestrian is the preliminary cause, he said.

Anyone with information on the identity of the involved vehicles or drivers in either crash is asked to contact the Manchester Township Police Department. Both crashes are being investigated by Patrolman Brendan Brush of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

Assisting at both crash scenes were emergency medical technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.