Manchester Motorcyclist Killed In Route 70 Crash: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday night in a crash that shut down Route 70 for more than four hours, Manchester Township police said Thursday.

John Rolick, 65, of Whiting, died at the scene of the crash, Manchester Lt. James Komsa said.

Rolick was riding a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle west on Route 70 shortly before 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and was slowing to make a left turn onto Roosevelt City Road when his motorcycle was hit from behind by a 1994 Chevrolet Prism driven by Christian Merrill, 19, of Pemberton, Komsa said.

The impact threw Rolick, who was wearing a helmet, from the motorcycle, Komsa said. When police arrived he was unconscious and did not have a pulse, Komsa said. CPR was immediately rendered by police and first, aid but Rolick died at the scene, he said.

Merrill and his passenger, Haylee Korecky, 20, of Pemberton, had complaints of pain from the crash and were seen by first aid but refused further medical attention, Komsa said. Both were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, he said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, Komsa said. Sgt. Antonio Ellis and Patrolman Michael Anderson from the traffic safety unit are investigating, he said.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are considered to be a factor in the crash, Komsa said.

About five miles of Route 70 were shut down, from Manchester Boulevard to the Burlington County line, from about 9:15 p.m. until about 1:30 a.m. during the rescue and cleanup.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Quality Medical Transport, MONOC Paramedics and the NJ State Highway Diversion Team, Komsa said.

Photo via Manchester Township police