Motorcyclist Hospitalized Following Route 70 Crash In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Brick Township man was hospitalized early Thursday following a crash involving the motorcycle he was driving and a minivan on Route 70, Manchester police said.

Geoffrey Hawkins, 54, suffered several injuries including a head injury in the crash reported at 2:11 a.m. that happened on Route 70 just west of Ridgeway Road, Capt. James Komsa said.

Collin Boyle, 36, of Manchester, who was driving west on Route 70 in a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, refused medical treatment at the scene, Komsa said.

The investigation found Hawkins was riding a 2012 Harley Davidson east on Route 70 when Boyle tried to turn left into the Colby Commons shopping center and turned in front of Hawkins, Komsa said.

Hawkins was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, he said. He was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River by Manchester Township EMS for treatment.

Route 70 was closed for two hours in both directions for the investigation and cleanup. Both vehicles had to be towed from the area by Freedom Towing.

Sgt. Paul Bachovchin of the Traffic Safety Section is investigating, with the assistance of patrol officers.