Fallen Tree Limb Causes Motorcycle Crash on Route 571

A week after a fatal crash last week on the same stretch of Route 571, a Toms River man was injured after his motorcycle struck a fallen tree limb along the Ridgeway section of the county roadway Wednesday, police said.

Richard Gable, 64, of Toms River, was traveling east on the county roadway on his Harley Davidson at about 3:11 p.m. when, according to information released by Manchester Police Capt. Lisa Parker, a "large tree limb" fell and blocked all travel lanes near Washington Avenue, a cross street near the Oliverie Funeral Home.

Police said that Gable attempted to stop before reaching the limb, but was unable and struck the debris. He complained of left shoulder pain and was treated at the scene by Quality Medical Transport.

Damage from a severe storm last week downed two trees on Route 571, in front of Ridgeway Elementary School, about 800 feet from yesterday's crash.

The Ocean County Road Department cleared the limb from the roadway. The crash is under investigation by Ptl. Michael Terranova, police said.