Toms River Man Critically Injured In High-Speed Wrong-Way Crash: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man is in critical condition Thursday after crashing his car on Route 9 late Tuesday night, police said.

Kevin Klaus, 30, of Stowe Street, was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, after the accident, where he remains in critical condition, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

Investigation of the crash, which happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday near Fernwood Drive, found Klaus had been driving south on Route 9 in a 2001 Honda Civic at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road with his headlights off, Stocco said.

Dan Gaskill, 51, of Whiting told police he was northbound on Route 9 in a 2002 Eagle bus and saw the Honda heading toward him, Stocco said.

Gaskill said he swerved to the right to avoid a head-on impact but was still sideswiped by the Honda, and the bus then struck a utility pole, causing extensive damage, Stocco said.

Gaskill was not injured in the accident, he said.

Klaus and the Honda then spun several times and came to a final rest into the business signage of Winteringham Village, Stocco said.

Traffic Safety Officer David Bartoshek responded to the crash, he said.

Photo via Toms River Police Department