By: Richard L. Smith
A tragic head-on collision early Friday morning on Route 70 in Brick Township left one person dead and another critically injured, according to information released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. on December 27, 2024, Brick Township police officers responded to reports of a severe crash near the Lowe’s home improvement store.
Upon arrival, officers found that a Toyota Rav 4 and a Volkswagen Beetle had collided head-on.
The male driver of the Toyota Rav 4 had to be extricated from his vehicle and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
Officials said, the female driver of the Volkswagen Beetle was partially ejected from her car and pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, in collaboration with the Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, determined that the Toyota Rav 4 had been traveling east in the westbound lanes of Route 70.
The vehicle crossed the concrete barrier dividing the highway, leading to the deadly collision.
The driver of the Toyota Rav 4 has been issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving by the Brick Township Police Department.
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional details will be shared as they become available,” stated Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.