Double Fatal Crash In Barnegat Under Investigation: Police

BARNEGAT, NJ — Two people were killed in a motor vehicle crash on Thursday night in Barnegat, police said.

Barnegat police responded to the area of Route 72 and Route 532 just after 10 p.m. for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash.

A Kia Forte was traveling eastbound on Route 72 when it left the right side of the road. The vehicle re-entered the roadway, crossed the center line and entered the oncoming lane where it collided with the westbound tow truck. The truck had a vehicle on its flatbed and another in tow.

Both occupants of the Kia were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities will not be released until their family is notified.

The driver of the tow truck was uninjured.

Traffic was diverted for eight hours while police investigated. The crash is still under investigation by Barnegat Police Detective Jim Purcell.

Agencies that responded and assisted included the Ocean County Medical Examiner, Ocean County Sheriff's Department CSI, Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company Station 11, Barnegat First Aid Squad and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

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