UPDATE: Route 70 Cleared After Afternoon Collision, Fuel and Chemical Spill
Detours were in place as authorities cleaned scene after pest control truck overturns
Photos
Route 70 has been cleared hours after the state highway was closed eastbound at its intersection with Route 571 while authorities worked to clean up a spill caused by a two-vehicle collision Tuesday afternoon.
A Cowley's Termite and Pest Toyota Tundra pickup, driven by 46-year-old Steven Wrzesnewski of Ortley Beach, collided with a Ford Ranger driven by 57-year-old David Romano of Toms River on Route 70 near Wilbur Avenue at about 2:45 p.m., said Manchester Police Department Capt. Lisa Parker.
Romano was traveling west on Route 70 when Wrzesnewski attempted to make a left into eastbound traffic from Wilbur Avenue and the vehicles collided, Parker said. The impact caused the Cowley's truck to overturn, spilling fluids onto the roadway.
Romano was transported to a Brick hospital complaining of chest pains. Wrzesnewski did not report any injuries at the scene, according to Parker.
The potential hazmat situation prompted authorities to close the roadway and detour Route 70 eastbound traffic up Route 571 to Route 527. Responders said gasoline, pesticides and an unknown chemical spilled onto the road, requiring a careful cleanup.
Following the crash, authorities were unsure of how long they would be on scene while crews cleaned the spills.
"These things can't be rushed," said Arthur Abline, coordinator of Manchester's Office of Emergency Management. "It will take as long as it takes."
Manchester's Office of Emergency Management, police, the Ridgeway and Manchester volunteer fire companies, New Jersey Department of Transportation Road Department and hazmat crews from Berkeley Township and Point Pleasant Borough responded to the scene.
Patrolman Paul Bachovchin of the police department's Traffic Safety Section is investigating the crash.
Mimi
4:29 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Rtes. 571 and 70 is a dangerous intersection. It's not the first time there have been traffice accidents there.
Justine
5:29 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I agree I live in Holly oaks and don't understand why people can't just go to Green Acere's to make a left from Wilbur or rt 70 east at the traffic light safely. I know its those people who cause all these bad accidents that make a left onto 70 east from Wilbur or a left onto Wilbur from 70 east. We have even had a few fatalities. It makes me so angry. Please Manchester township please fix it.
Susan Gormly
5:51 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I also live in Holly Oaks and agree that there should be no left turn out of Wilbur Ave. However, Holly Hill road has already become a speedway and very overcrowded for a residential area. There must be another solution as it has destroyed the quality of life on that road and if more traffic is added it will be a disaster. Susan
EyeOpener
6:39 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
When I came upon the scene from Rte 70 westbound, there was a tractor trailer and an overturned pickup truck. The location was between Wilbur and Washington Ave. If I had to guess, I would say the pickup truck was taking the Washington Ave "shortcut "instead of proceeding to and making a right turn at the Rte 70 and 571 traffic light. Incidentally, the only problem with that intersection is the people who use it. The other day I saw a driver speed across Rte 70 at 50-60mph.
Bryan
7:46 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ready this will be the Manchester twp response; Rt 70 is a state highway & they have control over it. Blab blab blab, just like the crappy snow plowing job that gets done by the county on 571 in Manchester but it gets clear as a bell when you get to Toms River, see above response for Manchester except its the county!
CM
8:01 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Manchester is the "Death Zone" for Rte 70.
larry slatky
5:43 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
slow down everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get off the phones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1stcav
9:39 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Agree...faster speeds DO NOT increase braking power..you"ll get there 5 min's later...so what ! Slooooow down and live a little longer...you don't get old by being dumb !
JOE BONANNO
10:11 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Please don't allow left turns from Wilbur-those turns are an accident begging to happen.. Also, increase enforcement of the traffic laws already on the books. The increased fines should cover increased police coverage and hopefully make our roads safer.
Barry Fleckmann
11:29 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
So, you think that driving Ocean County's roads is bad, now? Just wait five or ten years, when things REALLY get dicey. You'll pine for 2012, and "The Good Ole' Days."
Barry Fleckmann
11:32 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I used to live near THAT intersection, at Homestead Run Mobile Home Park. That's WHY I say, just wait...it's going to get a LOT worse! The ONLY time that state or local governments DO anything about a particular problem, is when someone dies!!
julie wilson
6:05 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
They stop the left turns onto Washington from Rt. 70 now they should stop people turning left from Wilbur.But then these people will come out to Green Acres and run the stop sign because everyone is always in a hurry. And then want to go 40 miles a hour in a 25
Renee
11:59 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
It was discussed a while ago to eliminate left turns from Wilbur onto 70E. This should be done. Also, people coming West and making a right onto Wilbur should not go into the shoulder at or before the Church. I always wait until I am close to the turn, but I look very carefully to make sure no one is in the shoulder. That is another accident waiting to happen. It's illegal to go into the shoulder that soon.