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Three-Vehicle Incident in Ocean County Results in Injuries
One woman was sent to a trauma center Friday night following a three-vehicle incident in Ocean County near the intersection of Ridgeway Road and State Highway 70.
When Manchester Township Police arrived on the scene of the collision at approximately 5:53 p.m. on June 13, they discovered three damaged cars: a white 2024 GMC Yukon with front-end damage, a black 2022 Honda HR-V with serious passenger-side damage, and a blue 2009 Ford Expedition with front-end damage.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Honda HR-V struck the Ford Expedition after attempting a left turn onto Ridgeway Road while heading west on Highway 70 and failing to yield to oncoming traffic. The GMC Yukon, which was stopped on Ridgeway Road, was struck by the spinning Honda.
William Woodburn Jr., 21, of Mickleton, was the driver of the Ford. He was slightly hurt but refused to be taken to the hospital. In addition to having non-life-threatening injuries, the driver of the Honda, Michael Schmidt, 33, of Toms River, declined medical transport.
First responders had to free his passenger, Carol Schmidt, 64, of Manchester, who was locked inside the car. RWJ Barnabas Health LifeFlight flew her to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where her status is described as stable.
Araceli Hernandez, 35, of Toms River, was operating the GMC. She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River by EMS after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
The Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, the Manchester and Ridgeway volunteer fire departments, RWJ paramedics, and Accurate Towing were among the numerous emergency units that arrived on the scene.
Patrolman Brendan Brush of the Manchester Township Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit is still investigating the collision. According to authorities, the main contributing reason was the inability to cede the right of way.
