UPDATE: Route 9 Reopened After Severe Head-On Collision Friday Morning

Route 9 has reopened after a severe head-on collision sent three to the hospital early Friday morning.

Police responded to the scene at Route 9 and Silverton Road in Toms River after a Jeep and street sweeper collided at 5:30 a.m., said Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy.

Michael Dorsey, 21, of Stafford Drive in Toms River was driving his 2004 Jeep when his vehicle collided head on with a street sweeper that was northbound just north of Silverton Road, Mastronardy said.  

Dorsey, who was treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River for a leg injury, told police he did not recall the collision and said he may have fallen asleep at the wheel, Mastronardy said. 

Jose Saravia-Alfaro, 26, of Union and his passenger, Martinez Lopez, 27, of Rahway were transported to the trauma center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for unspecified injuries, according to the chief. 

Saravia-Alfaro told police the Jeep was traveling at a high rate of speed and crossed the centerline and struck his truck, Mastronardy said. 

Traffic Safety Officers Terry Warren and Paul Worth are investigating along with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, according to Mastronardy.