Driver Crashes While Fleeing Hit-And-Run, Faces Charges In Manchester: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Seaside Heights man who took off after hitting another car had to be extricated after his car flipped and trapped him when he lost control on Schoolhouse Road, Manchester police said Tuesday.

Christopher H. Cornell Jr., 31, was hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was flown with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Cornell, who was found in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, was suspected of being under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs at the time of the crash, Manco said. Criminal and motor vehicle charges are pending, he said.

The crash, reported at 4:37 p.m., happened on Schoolhouse Road near Gardenia Drive, he said. Cornell was driving a 2019 Kia Optima and had rear-ended a 2015 Volvo S60 driven by David J. Lobdell, 47, of Lanoka Harbor at the intersection of Schoolhouse Road and Route 530, Manco said.

Cornell took off but failed to negotiate the curve on Schoolhouse Road and went off the road, hitting a large pine tree and shearing it off, Manco said. The car flipped and landed on its roof, and the pine tree landed on the car, trapping Cornell, he said.

The Volvo sustained minor damage and Lobdell reported minor injuries and refused any medical attention, Manco said.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services, Robert Wood Johnson paramedics, RWJ Life Flight, and Accurate Towing.

Manchester Cpl. Brian Collins and Patrolman Jesse Hoydis of the traffic safety unit are investigating, but driver impairment and an unsafe speed for road conditions appear to be the cause of the crash, Manco said.