Phoenixville Man, Small Child Hospitalized Following Major NJ Crash

A small child was among six people who were hospitalized following a six-car crash in New Jersey which involved a Phoenixville man, police said on Monday.

The child was airlifted to Cooper Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Anders Opitz, 19, of Phoenixville, PA, was driving a 2003 Ford F250 north on Route 73 when he allegedly sideswiped a 2007 Chevy Van that was also being driven north by 60-year-old Michael Nardello, of Berlin.

The Ford then allegedly hit a 2014 Mini Cooper, trapping 64-year-old Landisville resident Joseph Duffy inside. The Winslow Fire Department extricated Duffy and airlifted him to Cooper Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Ford also hit a 2006 Honda Accord, which was forced into a 2008 Nissan Rogue, which was at a stop. The Rogue was pushed forward, into the Nissan Verse which was stopped in front of it.

Ken Matthews, 19, of Phoenixville, PA, was in the Accord. He and 28-year-old Michelle Santiago, of Vineland, were both transported to Cooper Hospital by ambulance.

Dennis Conway, 23, of Hammonton, was driving the Rogue. He and Optiz were transported by ambulance to Virtua Hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

Faith Lenhert, 23, of Hammonton, was driving the Verse. She and Nardello were not injured.

The crash remains under investigation by the Winslow Township Highway Safety Unit and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.

No charges have been filed at this time.