Driver Airlifted After Van Rear-Ends Tractor Trailer In Manchester

A Plumsted man was airlifted to the hospital after the minivan he was driving rear-ended a tractor trailer on Route 37 Tuesday morning, Manchester police said.

Robert Young, 54, of the New Egypt section, had to be extricated from his 2004 Toyota Sienna and then was flown by MONOC to Jersey Shore University Medical Center after the crash, which happened about 7:15 a.m., Capt. Todd Malland said. Young’s condition was not immediately known.

Preliminary investigation showed the crash occurred when the Sienna, driven by Young, hit the back end of the 2009 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by Steven Taylor, 46, of Somerset, Malland said. The tractor trailer, which was eastbound on Route 37, was stopped at the traffic signal at Colonial Drive when the crash occurred, he said.

Taylor was treated at the scene by Manchester First Aid and paramedics from MONOC for the complaint of back and neck pain, but refused further medical treatment, Malland said.

Route 37 eastbound was closed for a time during the crash investigation, Malland said.

Also assisting at the scene were members of both the Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments, as well as members of the Toms River Fire Department, and the Lakehurst Fire Department.

Patrolman Paul Bachovchin of the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Division is investigating.

(Photo courtesy Manchester Township Police Department)