Falling Trees During Storm Kill Driver on Route 571

Manchester police on Wednesday night confirmed that fallen trees along Route 571 struck a car and killed the driver as severe weather rolled through the area. 

Police identified the driver as Henry M. Burton Jr., a 69-year-old from Parlin. His 1993 Buick Century was struck on the roof by two trees which were downed , passed through the township around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

According to Ptl. Douglas Higgins, who is investigating the incident, Burton was pronounced dead at the scene near Kingsbridge Road, across the street from the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department.

Portions of the county road were closed at about 4:30 p.m. as crews cleaned the downed trees and debris from the roadway. A detour was in place at the intersection of Routes 571 and 70.

In addition to Manchester patrol officers, the Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments, Ocean County Criminalistics Unit, Ocean County Road Department and the New Jersey Department of Transportation responded.