Whiting Woman Hit Jeep, Fled Scene, Police Say

A Whiting woman who smashed into a Jeep on Route 530 Thursday morning fled the scene of the accident, but was found not long after the crash, thanks to evidence found at the scene, Manchester Township Police said.

Linda A. Ryerson, 65, was driving on Route 530 just after 7 a.m., police said, when she tried to make a left turn on to South Columbus Boulevard and crashed into a Jeep Cherokee driven by Todd Marone, 35, of Waretown.

The impact flipped Marone's Jeep upside-down and spun it, sending him into a curb and nearby utility pole, police said, while Ryerson took off down South Columbus Boulevard.

Marone, who was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, was able to get out of the Jeep with only minor injuries, police said, and was taken by Quality First Aid to Community Medical Center in Toms River as a precaution.

Ryerson, who wasn't hurt in the wreck, was found a short time later at her home, police said. Photos of her Camry showed heavy front-end damage and a missing front license plate.

The crash is currently under investigation by Ptl. Jesse Hoydis and Ptl. Douglas Higgins of the Manchester Traffic Safety Section. No charges were immediately announced.