Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
Brick police say a three-vehicle crash on Route 70 Thursday led to one victim being sent to the hospital and another complaining of chest pain.
The crash occurred at about 3:25 p.m. at the intersection of the state highway and Morris Avenue, just south of Burnt Tavern Road.
The department’s preliminary investigation indicates that a silver 2020 Kia Sportage being operated by Vincent C. Grillo, 83, of Lakewood, was traveling east on Route 70, approaching the intersection of Morris Ave. At the same time, a black 2008 GMC 2500 operated by Michael J. Amogretti, 53, of Brick, was stopped at a red traffic signal in the eastbound lanes of Route 70 at the intersection of Morris Ave. in the left lane. The third involved vehicle, a white 2019 Subaru Crosstrek operated by Richard S. Crue, 75, of Wall Township, was also stopped at a red traffic signal, eastbound on Rt. 70 at the intersection of Morris Ave., directly in front of the GMC.
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According to Sgt. Jim Kelly, police received an earlier call regarding the Kia; the caller reported the driver was traveling eastbound on Route 70 in the area of Route 88, and was failing to maintain its lane. The caller told dispatchers the vehicle struck the concrete divider on Route 70 in the area of Olden Street and was continuing on Route 70 eastbound. The Kia then drove further on Route 70, traveling through a red traffic light at the intersection of Route 70 and Jack Martin Boulevard and ultimately collided into the rear of the GMC pickup at the intersection of Route 70 and Morris Avenue. The force of the impact caused the truck to move forward and collide with the Subaru.
When police and EMTs arrived, the driver of the Kia that had been out of control was found to be unconscious, and had also sustained a visible head injury. He was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and is currently in critical condition. The driver of the GMC had a complaint of pain to his chest, and was treated and released on scene by EMS. The Subaru driver was not injured.
Route 70 eastbound was closed to vehicular traffic, which was detoured for approximately two hours during the investigation, Kelly said.
The accident remains under investigation by Ptl. Daniel Fogarty of the Brick police department’s Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information related to it is asked to contact Fogarty at 732-262-1141.
