Van Hits Large Tree on Route 9, Freehold Driver Medevaced

A van crashed into a tree Tuesday evening causing a Freehold woman to be entrapped and seriously injured. The accident occured in front of the Sun National Bank on Route 9 South in Manalapan.

Manalapan Police responded to the scene at around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday in response to the serious accident. Upon investigation, police learned that the driver, a 55-year-old Freehold Township woman, struck a curb in front of the Sun National Bank causing the car to exit the roadway. The 1994 Ford Econoline van then travled about 185 feet on the grass and ultimately smashed into a large tree, Capt. Michael Fountain of the Manalapan Police Department said. 

According to police, the front portion of the van suffered significant damage and the motorist became entrapped in the vehicle. A medevac was requested to the scene and a landing zone was secured at Lafayette Mills School by Manalapan police and Gordons Corner Fire Company.

A New Jersey State Police SouthSTAR medevac helicopter arrived at the Lafayette Mills and transported the victim to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township. The motorist suffered serious injuries, according to Fountain.

The roadway was closed for approximately two and a half hours following the accident so a thorough investigation could be performed.

Also assisting at the scene were the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and Monmouth County Sheriff's Officers Leonard Maxfield and Anthony Muscarella.

Ptl. Dennis O'Brien of the Manalapan Police Department is handling the accident investigation. Anyone who witnessed the accident is encouraged to contact the police department at 732-446-4300.

This is an open investigation. Details will be added to this story as soon as they become available.

Photographs provided by the Monmouth County Fire, EMS, Police, & NJSP Medevac Ops Facebook page.