Man, 75, Dies After SUV Hits Tree In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Townshipo man died Friday after his SUV hit a tree head on, Manchester police said.

Michael Martin, 75, of the Whiting section, suffered internal injuries and died at Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was taken following the crash that happened shortly before 5:40 a.m. Friday, Capt. Albert Vega said.

Martin was trying to turn from westbound Crestwood Parkway left onto Pinewald Keswick Road in a 2019 gray GMC Terrain when he lost control and ran onto the shoulder of northbound Pinewald Keswick Road and hit the tree, Vega said.

The crash caused moderate damage to the front passenger-side bumper of the vehicle and caused the driver's airbag to inflate, he said.

Patrolman Anthony DeBlasio of the Traffic Safety Unit is investigating.

Vega said the preliminary investigation indicates an obstructed view of the windshield is believed to be the primary contributing factor to the crash. He did not provide details on how it was obstructed.

Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services, paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit, and Priced Rite Towing responded.