Two Injured In Crash After Truck Hits Two Houses And Another Vehicle

Two people were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center after an accident when a pickup truck smashed into two houses and another truck early this morning, Sgt. Ronald Heinzman said.

The Dodge Ram was severely damaged and the two occupants were pulled from the vehicle by Lakehurst Police Officers Matthew Walaszek, Mark Panzano, Michael Rodriguez and Daniel Hourigan, along with members of the Lakehurst First Aid and MONOCparamedics and the Lakehurst Borough Fire Company.  

The driver, Ronald F. Fredericks, 46, Seaside Heights, and a passenger, Linda J. Addario, 57, Jackson were flown by helicopter to the trauma center in Neptune, after a landing zone was set up at Manchester High School by Manchester and Ridgeway Fire Companies.  

Initial investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, and alcohol may be a contributing factor. Charges are pending, Heinzman said.

Lakehurst Police Officer Matthew Walaszek was working a DWI shift in the area of Route 37 and Brown Avenue at 1:26 a.m. on Saturday when he observed a red Dodge Ram pickup traveling into Lakehurst on Route 37 West at a high rate of speed, Heinzman said.

Fredericks failed negotiate a curve in the road. He struck a guard rail, traveled back into the travel land before he left the roadway a second time and struck a curb, Heinzman said.

The driver then wove back across Route 37 and across the eastbound travel lane up to a residence at 121 Brown Avenue. The pickup struck the home and caused extensive damage to the northwest side of the house, he said.

The truck proceeded into a neighboring yard at 119 Brown Avenue, then struck a 2011 Ford Explorer parked in the driveway. The Ford was spun around and propelled into the home before the Dodge Ram struck 119 Brown Avenue and came to a rest, Heinzman said..

The accident remains under investigation by Heinzman, Officer Matthew Walasek and Detective Michael Proto of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.  Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Detective Stephen M. Capoano also assisted at the scene.