Manchester Man Dies In Crash; Several Injured

A 58-year-old Manchester man died Thursday in a crash at Colonial Drive and Route 70, police said.

Kevin J. Johnston, 58, of Manchester was killed in a crash while traveling east on Route 70, when he attempted to turn left onto North Colonial Drive.

At 2:03 p.m., the four-vehicle crash occurred when Johnston's 2003 Toyota Corolla entered into the intersection and was impacted on the passenger’s side by a 2012 Ford F450 Quad Cab, Pick Up Truck, police said.

That car was heading westbound on Route 70, and driven by William J. Sloan, 33, of Lakehurst. The impact forced both vehicles to re-direct and impact with a 1993 Ford Taurus, being operated by Maureen P. Wolfe, 51, of Hamburg.

The Ford Taurus was stopped in traffic at a red traffic signal.  The Ford Taurus was forced backwards and made contact with a 2007 Saturn Aura, being operated by Dana Laycock, 37 of Lakehurst. 

Johnston was traveling alone and did not have his seatbelt on at the time of the crash, police said.

Johnston was transported to Community Medical Center, Toms River, where he was pronounced at 3:02 p.m. Sloan was traveling with three passengers, Christopher D. Staffieri, Jack A. Schmidt Jr, and Jeffrey R. Sloan who all reported no injuries at the scene.

Wolfe was traveling with her son, William Wolfe. Wolfe was Medi-Vac to Jersey Shore University Hospital, Neptune and William Wolfe was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital. Laycock was traveling alone and reported no injuries at the scene.

Assisting at the scene were, Manchester Vol. Fire Dept, Quality First Aid, MONOC Paramedics. CIU, NJ State Police, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

The crash is under investigation by Ptl. Antonio Ellis and Ptl. Douglas Higgins of the Manchester Traffic Safety Section.

Anyone with information about the crash, please contact Manchester Twp Police, Traffic Safety Section, at 732-657-2009, X4401.