Monmouth County Woman Airlifted After Car Hits Tree

A Monmouth County woman was airlifted to the hospital after the car she was a passenger in hit a tree Tuesday afternoon in Manchester Township, police in Manchester said.

Laura Bowker, 50, of Keyport, suffered internal injuries to her lower extremities in the crash on Manchester Boulevard that happened about 1:15 p.m., Manchester Lt. Vincent Manco said.

Bowker was the passenger in a 1993 Toyota Corolla driven by Laure L. Fusciello of Whiting. Fusciello was driving east on Manchester Boulevard when she tried to avoid an unidentified road hazard, she told police. Her car crossed the center line and ran off the road and hit a tree, Manco said. Fusciello suffered a minor injury to her right knee but refused medical care. Bowker was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment.

Both women were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, Manco said.

Officers Doug Higgins and Michael Lynch of the township’s Traffic Safety section are investigating. Police ask anyone who witnessed the crash or who had additional information to call the Manchester Township Police Department at 732-657-6111.

The police department also would like to remind motorists to be aware of road hazards and potholes, especially during the winter months.