Married Couple Killed In Head-On Crash In Ocean County Are Identified

JACKSON, NJ — A couple from Toms River who were killed in head-on crash on Route 571 on Thursday afternoon have been identified by Jackson police.

Randy Rittenhouse, 67, and his wife, Elizabeth Rittenhouse, 61, both died of injuries they sustained in the crash that was reported at 1:57 p.m. Thursday, Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz said Friday afternoon.

The Rittenhouses were in a Chevrolet and driving northwest on Toms River Road, also known as Route 571, when they were hit by a Ford that police allege drifted into the path of the Chevrolet, Kunz said.

The driver of the Ford, a 24-year-old woman from Jackson, and a 4-year-old girl who was her passenger, suffered serious injuries and were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Kunz said.

They were anticipated to be released from the hospital possibly as soon as Friday evening, he said.

Randy Rittenhouse was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, Kunz said. Elizabeth Rittenhouse received emergency medical treatment but succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at an area hospital, Kunz said.

The road was shut down and detoured for several hours, he said and several agencies were notified or involved in the response and investigation, including the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Ocean County Sheriff's Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner.

The investigation is continuing, and anyone with information is urged to call Jackson Police Officer Anthony Ringle at 732-928-1111.