2 Killed, 3 Injured In Fatal Route 37 Crash Identified

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Authorities released the identities of two women who were killed and the three who were injured in a two-vehicle crash on Route 37 near Community Medical Center.

Doris Turlish, 85, of New Gretna, and Marjorie Santamaria, 86, of Toms River, died as a result of their injuries in Monday's crash, Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said Tuesday.

Injured in the crash were Maryann Turlish, 87, of New Gretna; Maria Santamaria, 52, of Toms River, and William Minter, 42, of the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township, he said.

Maryann Turlish and Maria Santamaria both are listed in critical condition in the hospital; Minter suffered minor injuries, Della Fave said.

He said the investigation determined the crash at noon Monday near the hospital happened when Doris Turlish was pulling out of the Community Medical Center complex.

She was driving a 2010 Mercury Milan and leaving from the exit at the east end of the complex when she suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed, struck the curb divider between the entrance and exit lane, and went onto Route 37, headed straight for the center Jersey barrier, Della Fave said.

As she entered Route 37 east, she was hit on the driver’s side by the 2016 Ford F250 driven by Minter. The Mercury wound up pinned to the center Jersey barrier, and the Ford overturned in the left lane, Della Fave said.

Doris Turlish died at the scene, while her passenger, Marjorie Santamaria, was taken to Community but pronounced dead at 1:16 p.m., he said. Maryann Turlish and Maria Santamaria had to be extricated from the Mercury, he said. Minter was able to climb through the windshield of his pickup truck to safety, Della Fave said.

The crash was investigated by the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. Multiple emergency personnel responded to assist and treat the injured.

Photo of the crash scene by Exit 82 Scanner News, published with permission