Ocean County officials are looking into the cause of a car crash that fatally injured one person in Jackson Friday night.
According to a preliminary investigation, at approximately 10:30 pm, police officers from the Jackson and Manchester Police Departments responded to a 911 call for the report of a motor vehicle crash on South Hope Chapel Road.
The crash, which was originally reported to be in Manchester was located near a bridge in the vicinity of the Pine Barrens Golf Club.
Upon arrival at the scene, the officers located a single vehicle crash involving a 1997 Chrysler Sebring which had gone off of the roadway and into the woods.
Initial investigation determined that the vehicle was traveling north bound and failed to negotiate a curve in the road and went off the road and it appears that speed and wet road conditions contributed to the crash.
The vehicle struck several trees before coming to rest. The driver and passenger both had to be extricated from the vehicle.
They were transported to Jersey Shore Regional Trauma Center where the driver of the vehicle, identified as Mr. Austen Hunter, 19 of Jackson, succumbed to his injuries.
The lone passenger, identified as Hasson Renouf, 23 of Jackson, was listed in stable condition.
The crash is being investigated by Police Officer Kevin Chesney of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit and Officers Stephen Cilento, Joseph Pante and Sgt. Richard Bosley.
Also responding to the scene to assist was Jackson First Aid, Berkeley First Aid, Whitesville Fire Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation is ongoing and any witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Officer Chesney at 732-928-1111.