Crime & Safety
Vehicle Crashes Into Route 571 Utility Pole Early Sunday Morning
Roadway closed in both directions for several hours near Fairfield Street
A 1999 Chrysler Sebring Convertible struck a utility pole on Route 571 in Manchester early Sunday morning, causing injuries to the driver and shutting down the roadway for several hours.
The vehicle was operated by 21-year-old Shantel Smith from South Toms River, police said.
The vehicle was traveling east on Route 571 near Fairfield Street when it left the roadway and struck the utility pole, snapping it in two at approximately 1:13 a.m., according to Manchester police.
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The vehicle came to rest in the east bound travel lanes facing west after the crash, police said.
The driver of the vehicle was reported to be wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash.
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Smith was transported to Community Medical Center by Manchester Township First Aid for a complaint of head and back pain.
Route 571 was closed in both directions for several hours while the utility pole was replaced.
Assisting at the scene were members of the Ridgeway and Manchester Volunteer Fire Departments and paramedics from MONOC.
This crash is under investigation by Patrolman Antonio Ellis of the Manchester Township Traffic Safety Section.
