Several Injured As Driver Crashes Into ShopRite In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Several people were injured Friday when a car smashed into the front of the ShopRite in Manchester, police said.

Patricia Janelli, 89, of Manchester, and her passenger, Maxine Lilly of Somerset, sustained minor injuries in the crash that happened shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday, Manchester Capt. James Komsa said.

Komsa said the crash happened when Janelli, who was driving a gray 2017 Toyota Camry, backed out of a parking spot then put the car in drive and began to accelerate forward, hitting a sign support and driving over a landscaped median.

The car kept going toward the front of the building, hitting a curb and driving onto the walkway in the front of the building, and hit the front of the building, causing extensive damage to the building and merchandise of ShopRite, Komsa said.

Several ShopRite customers were treated, evaluated, and taken to local hospitals to be evaluated and treated for their injuries, Komsa said.

Assisting at the scene were firefighters and EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, firefighters from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department and Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, and the Manchester Township Building inspector, Komsa said.

Patrolman Conner Yatauro is investigating the crash but at this point driver error is the primary contributing factor in the crash.