Manchester Pedestrian Hurt When Driver Mistakes Accelerator For Brake: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester man who was walking his dogs was injured Wednesday evening when a driver who apparently confused the accelerator for the brake pedal hit him, Manchester police said Thursday.

Paul Roth, 61, of Whiting, was not seriously injured in the accident, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

Roth was walking his two small dogs along South Chestnut Avenue shortly before 8 p.m., Malland said, when he was hit. Angela Molina, 77, of Whiting, who was westbound on South Chestnut in a red 2005 Hyundai Sonata, came to a stop at the intersection of South Chestnut and Falmouth Avenue, Malland said.

After stopping, Molina tried to back up slightly to read the street signs, Malland said.

"It then appears as though she confused the accelerator for the brake pedal and accelerated rapidly in reverse in an eastbound direction on South Chestnut," striking Roth in the process, he said.

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After hitting Roth, Molina's car continued on, running off the road and hitting an electrical utility box before hitting the front of a home on South Chestnut Avenue, Malland said.

Roth was taken to Community Medical Center, Toms River, by Quality Medical Transport for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, he said. Roth's dogs were not injured, he said.

Molina was not injured, Malland said. She was evaluated at the scene by Quality Medical Transport and was released after refusing additional medical treatment.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Quality Medical Transport as well as the Manchester Township building inspector, he said.

The crash is being investigated by Patrolman Michael Anderson of the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Unit.

Photo provided by Manchester Township Police