Route 88 Crash Claims Life of Brick Man, 50

An accident on Route 88 claimed the life of a Brick man Tuesday morning.

Police say Brick resident Earl Sprague, 50, was driving westbound on Route 88 near the intersection of Burnt Bridge Avenue around 7:06 a.m. when he crossed over the center roadway lines into the eastbound lane. At that time, his 2003 Toyota Sienna minivan crashed head-on with a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup being driven by David Griggs, 46, also of Brick, according to Brick Police Sgt. David Bedrosian.

Sprague received "fatal injuries" in the crash, Bedrosian said, and was pronounced dead at after the accident. Griggs was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment of a broken left arm and facial lacerations. He is in stable condition there, said Bedrosian.

Traffic was detoured around the crash scene for approximately two and one-half hours, Bedrosian said. Brick Township Police officers Mark Beyers, Scott Smith and Mark Alexander were the initial responding officers to the scene. The investigation was handled by officers Jay Lampiasi and Scott Dierking of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit. Assisting at the scene were members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Unit.

Both the Laurelton and Herbertsville Fire Companies were called to the scene for extrication services. The Brick Township Police Department EMS, as well as MONOC paramedics, also responded to the scene.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, Bedrosian said.

Any witnesses to the crash are being asked to contact the Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at 732-262-1140.