On January 20, 2024, at approximately 9:06 pm, officers of the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched to the area of New Mexico Drive and Washington Lane, in the Whiting section of the township to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving a single vehicle into a tree.

Upon arrival, officers observed a white 2018 Ford Ecosport with extensive front end damage that had impacted a tree.

The investigation revealed that the Ford was traveling south on Washington Lane when the vehicle accelerated through the stop sign at the intersection of New Mexico Drive.

The Ford continued forward and left the roadway driving over the curb. At that time, the Ford impacted a wooden fence and subsequently impacted a tree with the front driver side of the vehicle.

The force from the crash caused the Ford to rotate counterclockwise and impact an additional three trees.

The driver and sole occupant of the Ford, 80-year-old Patricia Ford of Whiting, NJ, was found to have not been wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and multiple airbags within the Ford deployed.

Officers and EMTs began administering first aid and CPR to Mrs. Ford. She was transported via ambulance to Community Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.

Assisting at the scene were EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, EMTs from South Toms River Emergency Medical Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point it is believed that an unknown medical event appears to be the primary contributing factor.

This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Michael O’Hara, Patrolman Brendan Brush, and Patrolman Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.