Woman Charged With DUI After Downtown Toms River Crash: Police

Toms River, NJ -- A Beachwood woman is facing drunk driving charges after her car hit a utility pole Wednesday morning, knocking out power and snarling traffic in downtown Toms River for several hours, Toms River police said.

Moria Oday, 28, of Mermaid Avenue, and an 11-year-old boy who was her passenger were taken to Community Medical Center for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries after the crash, which happened about 11 a.m., said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

Oday told police she was eastbound on Water Street in a 2015 Hyundai Sonata when she swerved to avoid an animal in the road just before she reached Hooper Avenue, Stocco said.

When she swerved, she hit a utility pole, snapping it in half, and trapping her in the car when the top half fell on her car, Stocco said.

Utility crews from JCP&L were called in to shut off the power to the wires to make the area safe for rescue crews, Stocco said. Then Oday and her passenger, who has the same address, were removed and taken to the hospital.

Oday has been charged by Traffic Officer Robert Westfall with driving under the influence as well as reckless driving, Stocco said, and additional charges are likely because she had a minor in the car at the time.

Officers remained on the scene directing traffic while utility crews make repairs, he said, and while the detours have been removed, traffic is still slowed.

Power had been restored to most of the area by 3:30 p.m., Stocco said.