Woman Dies After Car Hits Tree In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township woman died Saturday night after her car hit a tree in Whiting, Manchester police said Sunday.

Patricia Ford, 80, of Whiting, died as a result of the crash near New Mexico Drive and Washington Lane, Capt. James Komsa said. The preliminary investigation indicates she suffered a medical event before the crash, he said.

The investigation found Ford was driving a white 2018 Ford Ecosport south on Washington Lane when her car sped up and ran the stop sign at the intersection with New Mexico Drive. Her car kept going and left the road, going over the curb and hitting a wooden fence and then a tree, Komsa said. The force of the impact caused the car to spin counterclockwise and hit three more trees, Komsa said.

Patricia Ford was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash, he said, but multiple airbags in the car deployed. Police officers and EMTs began administering first aid and CPR and she was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead, Komsa said.

Assisting at the scene were EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, EMTs from South Toms River Emergency Medical Services, the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson paramedics.

Patrolman Michael O’Hara, Patrolman Brendan Brush, and Patrolman Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit are investigating.