Woman Injured When Loose Tire Hits Car On Parkway In South Toms River

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Hunterdon County woman was seriously injured Thursday when her car was hit by a tire that got loose from another vehicle on the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey State Police said Friday.

Emily Newton, 21, of Flemington, was injured in the crash that happened at 3:23 p.m. near Exit 80 on the southbound side of the Parkway, Sgt. Charles Marchan said.

Newton was driving a Volkswagen in the left lane when her car was hit by a spare wheel that came off an unknown vehicle that was traveling north on the Parkway, Marchan said. The tire bounced across the center concrete barrier and went into the southbound lanes, hitting Newton's car on the left side of the windshield, he said.

Newton was seriously injured, Marchan said. He did not say where Newton was taken for treatment and did not have an update on her condition.

State police are asking anyone who saw the tire come off the vehicle or who otherwise witnessed the crash, or the events prior to or following the crash, is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Troop "D" Galloway Station Detective Bureau at 732-441-4500, ext. 5916.

Anonymous tips are welcome.

Newton was seriously injured, Marchan said. He did not say where Newton was taken for treatment and did not have an update on her condition.

The aftermath of the crash snarled traffic on the Parkway and on nearby local roads for several hours Thursday evening.