UPDATE: One Man Dead After Crash During Motorcycle Charity in Freehold

One man is dead and another is seriously injured after 3 motorcycles and a SUV were involved in an accident on Sunday.

According to Mark LeMieux of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, “On Sunday, June 24 at 1:27 p.m. there was a multiple motorcycle and vehicle collision that occurred on Elton Adelphia Rd near the intersection Wellesley way in Freehold Township.”

The motorcyclists were participating in a March of Dimes “Bikers for Babies” charity ride that began at restaurant in Howell. The event raises money to support education about the seriousness of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. Between 80-1000 riders were participating in the event, said LeMieux.

According to the LeMieux, participants Jack Wood, Jr., 37, of Keansburg, and Jason Rivera, 32, of Middletown, were traveling east bound on Elton Adelphia Rd. and crossed over a double line entering the west bound lane. The motorcyclists were passing other riders in an effort to shut down the intersection ahead for the safe passing of the other motorcycle riders.

As Wood was passing, he came up a slight hill where encountered a 2006 Toyota Highlander operated by a 17-year-old girl from Freehold who was traveling west-bound at the time. Wood applied his brakes, but was then rear-ended by Rivera.  After that occurred, both motorcycles became unstable, explained LeMieux.

Wood slid across the westbound lane striking the road’s northern curb. Rivera’s motorcycle went head-on into the Toyota. Then, a third collision occurred when Rivera’s motorcycle was thrown into the eastbound lane and hit motorcyclist Benjamin Martinez, 55, of Peth Amboy.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Rivera was transported to CentraState Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. Wood was medi-vaced to Jersey Shore with serious injuries. He is still being treated there.  Martinez was transported to Jersey Shore where he was treated and released. The 17-year-old and her two passengers were transported to Jersey Shore for precautionary reasons and were released.

The Prosecutor’s Office is still investigating this accident.