New Details In Fiery Head-On Crash That Killed Teen In Ocean County

JACKSON, NJ — A 16-year-old boy died Wednesday and two other people were injured in a fiery head-on crash between a pickup truck and a car in Jackson, authorities said Thursday.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said the boy was driving a 2009 Nissan Altima west on East Veterans Highway when his car was hit by a 2019 Ford F-150 about 5:55 p.m. The pickup truck, which was driven by an 18-year-old woman, was headed east and crossed into the westbound lanes near Westlake Court, authorities said.

The impact caused the Nissan to catch on fire, Jackson Police Chief Michael Kunz said, and witnesses pulled the 16-year-old from the car and started CPR on him until first responders could arrive.

The teen, whose name has not been released, had suffered catastrophic injuries in the crash. Police and firefighters continued efforts to resuscitate him and the boy was taken by Jackson EMS to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where he succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.

The 18-year-old driving the pickup and her passenger, who was not identified, also were taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus for treatment of minor injuries, the prosecutor's office said.

There was no mention of a passenger in the 16-year-old's car.

The crash remains under investigation by Jackson police and the prosecutor's office Vehicular Homicide Squad. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Jackson Police Officer Tristan Bennett at 732-928-1111 or contact him via email at tbennett@jacksontwpnj.net.

Note: This report has been updated with additional information from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.