New Jersey’s Manchester Township. According to Manchester Township Police, a 77-year-old Whiting man lost his life in a head-on collision along County Route 539 on Thursday, while another vehicle was only slightly hurt.
When officers arrived at the scene of the June 19 collision around mile marker 26.5, they discovered a blue 2024 Ford Maverick in the woods off the southbound side of the road and a grey 2016 Toyota Tacoma with significant damage on the northbound dirt shoulder.
Jose Rodriguez-Morales, 55, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, was the driver of the Toyota. He was sent to Community Medical Center after suffering minor injuries. Jesus Torres, 39, of Levittown, was his passenger, and he was unharmed. They were both buckled up.
Ford driver suffered medical emergency before crash
It is thought that Danny R. Coleman, 77, of Whiting, the driver of the Ford Maverick, had a medical issue before the collision. At the scene, he was declared dead.
When the Ford crossed the centerline and collided with the rear driver side of the northbound Toyota, investigators concluded the vehicle was heading south on County Route 539. After overturning, the Toyota landed on the northbound shoulder. After hitting a tree and continuing south on the road, the Ford came to a stop in the woods.
Emergency crews responded, road closed for hours
Manchester Township Fire and EMS, paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Ocean County Road Department, and Priced Rite Towing were among the agencies who responded to the collision.
While the site was cleared and the investigation was underway, County Route 539 was closed for a few hours.
