MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – A suspected drunken driver crashed into a utility pole and took down a mailbox before coming to rest after hitting a home on the Manchester and Jackson border at 9:45 am on Wednesday.
According to the Manchester Township Police Department, officers responded to the area of County Road 571, near the border of Jackson Township, to investigate the single motor vehicle crash involving a mailbox, utility pole, and residence.
“Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed a 2006 Lincoln Town Car facing northeast on the front yard of a residence on County Road 571,” Manchester Police Department spokesperson Vincent Manco said.
“An eyewitness to the incident reported seeing the Lincoln traveling eastbound on County Road 571, swerving in and out of the lane of travel, moments before the crash occurred.”
An investigation into the crashed determined that the Lincoln swerved off the roadway onto the eastbound shoulder and impacted a mailbox and a utility pole. After impacting the utility pole, the Lincoln traveled across County Route 571, left roadway and came to final rest after striking the residence. The damage at the scene consisted of a broken mailbox, a severed utility pole which came to rest across CR 571, and damage to the residence.
Scott Skweres, 48, of Toms River, the driver of the vehicle, was injured in the crash and refused medical attention after being evaluated by EMS.
Manco said Skweres was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated and released.