Motorcyclist Killed After Bike Hits Tree In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Lacey Township man died Wednesday after his motorcycle ran off the road and hit a tree on Pasadena Road, Manchester police said.

Robert Trout, 27, of the Lanoka Harbor section, suffered severe injuries in the crash, which happened about 4:35 p.m. near the intersection of Buckingham Road, Manchester Capt. James Komsa said.

A person witnessed the crash and called 911 immediately, Komsa said, and officers and Manchester Township EMTs began lifesaving measures on the man immediately, he said.

Trout, who was wearing a DOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash, was taken by ambulance to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, Komsa said.

Komsa said the investigation showed Trout, who was riding a 2017 Yamaha motorcycle, was trying to pass another vehicle as he headed west on Pasadena Road. As Trout tried to pass he lost control of the motorcycle, which ran off the road and hit a tree. Trout was thrown from the motorcycle when it hit the tree, Komsa said.

Patrolman Jose Diaz and Patrolman Brendan Brush of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit are investigating, but the preliminary investigation shows speed and driver error appear to be contributing factors, Komsa said.

Pasadena Road was closed for several hours during the crash investigation.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Emergency Medical Services EMTs and firefighters, Robert Wood Johnson paramedics, and Priced Rite Towing Service.