Man Charged With DUI After Car Hits Pole, House In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Toms River man has been charged with driving under the influence after his car ran off the road and hit a utility pole and a house on Ridgeway Road Wednesday, Manchester police said.

Scott Skweres, 48, suffered minor injuries in the crash that happened shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Skweres had been driving a 2006 Lincoln Town Car east on Ridgeway Road; a witness to the crash told police they saw the Lincoln swerving in and out of the lane of travel moments before the crash occurred, he said.

The investigation found the Lincoln swerved off the road onto the shoulder, hitting a mailbox and a utility pole, then crossed Ridgeway Road and hit a house before coming to a stop, Manco said. The impact snapped the utility pole, which ended up lying across the road, and there was damage to the home, he said.

Skweres refused further medical attention after being evaluated by EMTs from the Manchester Division of Emergency Services, Manco said. He was taken to Manchester Police Headquarters, where he was processed and released pending court.

Ridgeway Road was closed in both directions from South Hope Chapel Road to Whitecomb Avenue in Jackson Township while repairs were made, Manco said.

Assisting at the scene were EMTs and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, and the Manchester Township building inspector.

Patrolman Michael O’Hara of the department’s Traffic Safety section and K-9 Officer Steven Wendruff are investigating the crash.