Manchester township driver dies after vehicle strikes tree at pinewald keswick road intersection
Crime scene investigation - File Photo.

Manchester Township Driver Dies After Vehicle Strikes Tree at Pinewald Keswick Road Intersection

Posted by
1 min read
March 14, 2026

A 75-year-old Whiting man died after his SUV left the roadway and crashed into a tree early Friday morning, police said.

Manchester Township, NJ – A Whiting man died after a single-vehicle crash early Friday morning at the intersection of Pinewald Keswick Road and Crestwood Parkway, according to the Manchester Township Police Department.

Officers responded to the crash around 5:37 a.m. and found a 2019 GMC Terrain that had left the roadway and struck a tree head-on after traveling onto the grassy shoulder.


Key Points

• Crash occurred around 5:37 a.m. at Pinewald Keswick Road and Crestwood Parkway
• 75-year-old Michael Martin of Whiting later died from his injuries
• Police say an obstructed windshield view may have contributed to the crash


Vehicle left roadway during turn

The initial investigation determined the GMC Terrain had been traveling westbound on Crestwood Parkway. Police said the driver stopped at the stop sign and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Pinewald Keswick Road.

While making the turn, the vehicle went out of control and entered the northbound lane of Pinewald Keswick Road. The SUV then traveled onto the grassy shoulder and struck a tree.

Driver later died at hospital

The crash caused moderate damage to the front passenger-side bumper of the vehicle and deployed the driver-side front airbag.

The driver, identified as 75-year-old Michael Martin of Whiting, suffered internal injuries and was transported to Community Medical Center. Authorities said he later succumbed to those injuries and was pronounced dead.

Investigation ongoing

Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital assisted at the scene. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit and Priced Rite Towing also responded.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and an obstructed view of the windshield is believed to be the primary contributing factor in the crash. The incident is being investigated by Patrolman Anthony DeBlasio of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version