Driver wings pedestrian, house, and electrical box, says Manchester PD

A Manchester man walking his two dogs narrowly escapes serious injury, and so did the driver who apparently mistook the accelerator pedal for the brake and clipped him Wednesday night, say township police. An electrical utility box and a house were less fortunate.

According to officers, the 2005 Hyundai Sonata driven by Angela Molina, 77, came to rest after banging into the front of a South Chestnut Street house in the township's Whiting section.

Police said that on her way along South Chestnut Street, the Whiting woman stopped at the intersection of Falmouth Avenue, then engaged reverse gear to back up a bit and have a look at the street sign. Paul Roth, 61, was taking his small dogs for a walk on the eastbound side of the road.

She quickly accelerated in reverse, hit Roth, veered off the road, and knocked out the utility box before hitting the house, police said.

Mrs Molina was evaluated by Quality Medical Transport staffers and was released after refusing additional treatment, while Roth was treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River for evaluation of injuries that police categorized as non-life-threatening.

Both reside in the township's Whiting section. Members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and the township Building Inspector's office also responded. The crash investigation is headed by Traffic Safety Officer Michael Anderson.