Passenger Killed On Route 70 As Van Passing Traffic Illegally Crashes, Prosecutor Says

MANCHESTER, NJ — One person was killed and four others were injured Monday morning when a van passing stopped traffic crossed the center line and hit another van on Route 70 in Manchester, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Authorities did not release the names of the person who died or any of those injured on Monday afternoon and no charges were immediately announced.

Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the crash was reported about 8:15 a.m. and happened near Hilltop Road.

A 2017 Ford Sprinter van was headed west on Route 70 and was trying to turn left onto Hilltop Road, authorities said.

As the Ford was trying to make the left turn, the driver of a 2014 Dodge van that also was headed west on Route 70 crossed over the center double yellow line and passed from behind several vehicles that were stopped, authorities said.

The Dodge then hit the Ford van as the van tried to make the left turn, authorities said.

The driver of the Dodge and two front-seat passengers were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of their injuries, authorities said.

A fourth person had been seated in the cargo compartment of the Dodge van and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The driver of the Ford van was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of minor injuries, authorities said.

The crash remains under investigation by the prosecutor's office Major Crime Unit Vehicular Homicide Squad, the Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.