Two Accidents on Bridge Send Two to Hospitals

Two accidents within a short period of time on the Sept. 11 Memorial Bridge, which carries Route 70 over the Manasquan River between Brick and Brielle, sent two people to the hospital Sunday night, police said.

The first accident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to Brick Police Capt. John Rein. In that accident, a 2006 Chevy Aveo driven by Barbara DeButts, of Point Pleasant, was travelling eastbound on Rt. 70 just beyond River Road. DeButts attempted to avoid colliding with a disabled vehicle in the right lane of the roadway on the bridge, but lost control of her vehicle, striking the center median. The car travelled for approximately 50 feet before rolling on its side, Rein said.

The vehicle then slid on its side for approximately 124 feet along both eastbound lanes before coming to rest in the right lane, Rein said. Debutts suffered a head laceration and was transported by MONOC Paramedics to Ocean Medical Center, Brick.

The second accident occurred at approximately 9:05 p.m. when a vehicle traveling in the eastbound lanes of Route 70 struck a police-authorized tow truck that was removing the overturned car from the roadway.

A passenger in that vehicle, Katelyn Stanley, of Manasquan, suffered neck and back injuries and was transported by Brick Police EMS to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment.

After the second crash, traffic travelling eastbound from Brick toward Brielle was diverted from the bridge for approximately 50 minutes while both crashes were cleared from the roadway, Rein said.

Patrolman Joseph Farnkopf investigated the first crash and Patrolman John Boronkas investigated the second crash, Rein said. 

No summonses have been issued in either crash.