Driver, 72, Injured In Route 70 Crash In Manchester

A driver was injured in a two-vehicle crash on Route 70 on Tuesday, police said.

At 12:33 p.m., a 2012 Nissan Altima was being operated by John Jones, 72, of Manchester on Route 70 when his vehicle crossed over the centerline and impacted a tractor trailer, nearly head on, police said.

The 2005 Freightliner tractor trailer was driven by William Nortei, 53, of Grand Prairie, Texas. and hauling a 45’ trailer for Summit Trucking of Dallas, Texas.

Nortei was traveling west on NJ Route 70 and wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision.

Initial impact occurred in the westbound lane of travel.  After initial impact and separation, one vehicle was forced backwards and came to rest on the eastbound berm portion of the roadway. The other continued straight and came to rest in the east bound lane of travel.

Jones was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated by Whiting Volunteer Fire Dept. Jones was air lifted to Helen Fould Hospital, Trenton, were he suffers from internal injuries.  Nortei was not injured in the crash.     

Assisting at the scene were Whiting First Aid, Whiting Fire Department, MONOC Paramedics, Department of Defense Police (Ft Dix), NJSP Truck Unit, NJDOT, Pemberton Police Department, OC Prosecutors Office, OC Sheriff’s Department (CIU),  and Priced Rite Towing. 

The crash is under investigation by Ptl. Douglas Higgins, Ptl. Antonio Ellis, Ptl. Paul Bachovchin and Ptl. Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Section.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Section, at 732-657-2009 x4400.