MANCHESTER TWP., NJ – On Thursday, at around 6:16 pm, the Manchester Township Police Department was called to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway Route 70 and County Route 539. The collision involved a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, a 2020 Toyota Sienna, and a 2016 Peterbilt tractor-trailer.
Officers found the Hyundai with significant damage in the left turn lane of County Route 539. The Toyota was partially blocking the northbound lane of the same route, with damage on both driver and passenger sides. The tractor-trailer had visible damage to its driver’s side wheel well.
Lisa Kopcho, 45, the driver of the Hyundai, was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ, with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in stable condition. Hanna Ruark, 27, the driver of the Toyota, was unharmed.
Denell Sanders, 47, the tractor-trailer driver, reported minor knee pain but didn’t need hospitalization. Khalilah Hickman, 47, a passenger in the tractor-trailer, was also taken to Community Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
The initial investigation indicates the Toyota ran a red light on County Route 539, colliding with the tractor-trailer turning right from State Highway Route 70.