by Vincent Manco, MTPD
Manchester Twp NJ – On Thursday, September 28, 2017, at approximately 5:14 pm, members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to County Route 539 near the intersection of Grant Avenue in the Whiting section of the township to investigate a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles that collided, striking a pedestrian and a parked vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers observed a green 2002 Toyota Sienna minivan which had traveled off the roadway, a black 2014 Mazda CX5 which was blocking the northbound lane of County Route 539, and a red 2008 Cadillac Escalade parked in the driveway of a County Route 539 residence with front end damage. The investigation revealed that the Toyota Sienna was traveling north on County Route 539 prior to the crash. The Mazda was travelling south on County Route 539. The Mazda proceeded to turn left into a County Route 539 driveway, encroaching the path of the Toyota. The Mazda was initially struck on the passenger side by the Toyota before being rotated clockwise into the driveway, where it impacted the Cadillac and struck a pedestrian, 39 year old, Adriano Fernando Placencia, of Bremerton, WA. The pedestrian sustained cuts on his head, injury to his arm in addition to possible internal injuries.
The Toyota was being operated by the registered owner, 80 year old Lois T. Stuller of Princeton Junction, NJ. Traveling with Ms. Stuller was 78 year old Katherine E. Reed, of West Windsor, NJ. Both driver and occupant were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash and both front air bags deployed in the collision. The occupants of the Toyota were both transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, NJ for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The Mazda was being operated by 22 year old Kiersten L. Hughes of Whiting, NJ. She was traveling with a 15 year old passenger. Both driver and passenger were wearing seat belts and the vehicles side curtain airbags deployed in the collision. Both occupants of the Mazda were transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ for evaluation and complaints of pain. The Pedestrian was also transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Quality Medical Transport responded to the scene for treatment and transportation of the injured to local hospitals. The investigation is being conducted by Patrolman Michael O’Hara and Sergeant Antonio Ellis of the Manchester Township Police Traffic Safety Unit.
