2 Injured As Motorcycle, SUV Crash In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two people were injured when a motorcycle and an SUV collided on Saturday evening, Manchester Township police said.

Lizzie Richardson, 70, of Manchester, and Erik Palmblad, 59, of Toms River, were both taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Manchester Capt. Albert Vega said.

The crash at the intersection of Route 571 and Ridgeway Boulevard was reported at 5:37 p.m., he said.

Palmblad was riding a 2016 Indian Chief cruiser-style motorcycle west on Route 571 approaching the intersection of Ridgeway Boulevard when Richardson, who was driving a 2013 Honda CRV south on Ridgeway Boulevard went into the intersection in front of the motorcycle, Vega said.

The motorcycle hit the Honda on the driver's side door, and Palmblad was thrown from the motorcycle, Vega said.

Richardson had to be extricated from the Honda, Vega said.

The Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Emergency Medical Services, and Robert Wood Johnson paramedics assisted at the scene. The road was closed during the investigation and cleanup, and Accurate Towing responded to remove the vehicles.

Patrolman Jesse Hoydis of the Traffic Safety Unit is investigating, but Vega said the preliminary findings are that failure to stop at a stop sign and failure to yield right of way at an intersection appear to be contributing factors to the crash.