3 Injured As Driver Rear-Ends 2 Vehicles On Route 70 In Lakehurst: PD

LAKEHURST, NJ — Three people suffered minor injuries in three-vehicle crash on Route 70 in Lakehurst on Wednesday, police said Thursday.

The crash near the intersection of Route 70 and Route 547 was reported about 12:10 p.m., Chief Matthew Kline said.

The investigation determined James Russen, 52, of South Toms River was driving west on Route 70 and hit the rear of a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Wendy Mitchell, 43, of Brick, Kline said.

The impact caused the Equinox to run off the road while the Lexus continued west and hit a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sharonda Ashworth, 49, of Concord, North Carolina, he said. Ashworth also was headed west on Route 70, Kline said.

All three drivers were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment, he said.

A preliminary investigation determined that speed and driver inattention was the cause of the crash, Kline said. All three vehicles had to be towed from the scene, and Route 70 was closed westbound for about an hour.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Officer Joseph Ciaurro of the Lakehurst Police Department at 732-657-7812.

Assisting were Manchester Police Department, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, Joint Base Fire Department, Manchester Fire Department, Manchester EMS, Berkeley EMS and Priced Rite towing, Kline said.