Motorcyclist In Critical Condition After Crash In Manchester: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Jackson Township man was in critical condition Sunday following a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV on Ridgeway Road, police said.

Zachary Childs, 29, suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune following the crash that happened about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Manchester Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Manco said the preliminary investigation determined Ryan Niemiec, 38, of New Egypt, turning left from Ridgeway Road onto Ridgeway Boulevard in a Toyota Highlander when the Highlander was hit in the front driver's side by the dirt bike Childs was riding. Niemiec was not injured, he said.

The dirt bike did not have any lights, Manco said.

Manco said the investigation is ongoing, "but at this time the lack of any lamps or illuminating devices on the motorcycle appears to be a contributing factor."

EMTs from Jackson Township and Toms River Emergency Medical Services assisted, as did Robert Wood Johnson paramedics, and the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department.

Patrolman Keith Douglas of the department’s Traffic Safety section is investigating.