Bikers, riders hospitalized in nearly-identical crashes in Manchester

For the second time in as many days, a three-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle in Manchester sends a biker and his rider to hospitalization for treatment of extensive injuries.

Brandon Richardson, 23, of Burlington, and Jazzelle Queen-Richardson, 37, of Bordentown, were flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after the collision on State Route 70 at County Route 571, at about 6:54 PM on July 17.

Police said that Brandon Richardson sustained arm and leg injuries, and that his rider suffered serious head, neck and back injuries after they were thrown from their seats astride the 2015 Suzuki GSXR.

Responding officers found the motorcycle on its side, pinned under a black 2014 Hyundai Elantra, and the two bike occupants lying on the pavement. They also found a 2015 NIssan Sentra with major front-end damage in the intersection.

Investigators learned that the motorcycle was westbound on 571 when it collided with the Sentra, which was turning left on to eastbound Route 70. They riders went airborne from the motorcycle, which slid on its side until it hit the Elantra, and became wedged beneath it.

The Nissan driver, Alexander Andrade, 29, of Lakewood, and the Hyundai driver, Rebecca Calicchio, 44, of Whiting, were not injured, police said. Traffic at the intersection was detoured for several hours.

Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department personnel assisted, with detectives of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department and Prosecutor's Office, Quality Medical Transport EMTs, and Monoc paramedics.

Identical crash, different highway

The driver and rider of a Harley Davidson were hospitalized after a Sunday evening crash involving three vehicls on Route 539 in Manchester, at the intersection of Route 530.

Brian Klapproth, 41, sustained abdominal injuries, and Becky McCrosson, 45, suffered serious head and arm injuries when their Harley Davidson Road King was hit at about 7:36 PM, police said. Both are from Browns Mills. McCrosson was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Klapproth was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River.

Responding officers found the red motorcycle and the occupants lying on the road, near a Hyundai Sonata with extensive front-end and windshield damga, and a Jeep Wrangler with passenger-side damage.

Police determined that Klapproth left Wawa Plaza for the intersection of southbound Route 539. Leonard Cerame, 85, of Whiting, was westbound on 530 and hit the bike, police said.

The impact flung both motorcycle occupants aloft. McCrosson hit the Hyundai's hood and windshield before landing on the pavement.

Cerame's Hyundai then proceeded into the Jeep, which was stopped in the left turn lane of eastbount 530. The driver, Kaitlyn McQueen, 26, of Forked River, and Cerame were unhurt, police said.

The crash is under investigation by Traffic Safety Patrolman Ian Bole. A countywide safe-driving enhancement initiative on Route 539 begins Thursday.