Toms River Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Causing Accident and Road Closure on Route 70 in Lakehurst & Manchester
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June 20, 2023Toms River Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Causing Accident and Road Closure on Route 70 in Lakehurst & Manchester
Photo Credit: Michele Aumack
Two Toms River Residents Injured
According to Lakehurst Police Department, on June 20, 2023, at approximately 9:20 am, both the Lakehurst and Manchester Police Departments responded to a motor vehicle accident at the border of both jurisdictions near the intersection of Route 70 and Tobias Avenue.
One of the drivers of the vehicles involved, Vincent Malaquias, 58, of Toms River, was air lifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center due to his injuries and is currently listed in critical condition. The driver of the other vehicle, Jasmin Cruzbarrera, 34, of Toms River, was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for suspected minor injuries.An initial on scene investigation determined that Malaquias was operating a 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander when he suffered a suspected medical episode and struck a guardrail.
Malaquias continued east on Route 70 after striking the guardrail and then entered the westbound lane of travel and struck a 2017 Toyota Corolla operated by Cruzbarrera. Both vehicles were then disabled in the roadway blocking traffic. Route 70 was closed for approximately two hours in both directions between the Lakehurst Circle and Colonial Drive.Assisting on scene were members of the Manchester Township Police Department Patrol Division, Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety Division, Manchester Township Fire Department, Manchester Township EMS, Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments, RWJ University Hospital Paramedics, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Unit, and the NJ Department of Transportation.
