Man Killed, Woman Injured In Wrong-Way Crash On Route 88 In Brick

BRICK, NJ — A Newark man was killed and a Brick Township woman was seriously injured in a wrong-way crash on Route 88 right near Ocean University Medical Center, Brick Township police said Tuesday.

Joao R. Luiz, 51, of Newark, died from injuries suffered in the crash that happened on Dec. 29 just before 5 p.m., Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said.

Cathe J. Schaefer, 67, of Brick, suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized, Finelli said.

The initial investigation determined Schaefer, who was driving a 2021 Kia Sportage, turned left out of Ocean University Medical Center's parking lot onto Route 88, Finelli said.

Schaefer was driving east on Route 88 but was in the westbound travel lane, Finelli said. Luiz was driving west on Route 88 in a 2005 Toyota Corolla, which Schaefer hit head-on, Finelli said. The force of the collision caused both vehicles to spin, with the Kia coming to a stop along the curb line on the eastbound lane and the Toyota coming to a stop in the shoulder of the westbound lane, she said.

Laurelton Fire Department responded to the scene and extricated one of the victims from their vehicle, Finelli said, and both were taken to Ocean University Medical Center by Brick EMS/Rescue, where Luiz succumbed to his injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone who may have witnessed it or has additional information is asked to call Brick Township Police Officer Daniel Fogarty at 732-262-1141.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Hatzolah EMS assisted at the crash scene.