Crashes in Stafford & Middletown leave three drivers injured

Two crashes in as many days, one in Stafford and one in Middletown, result in injuries for three drivers and continuing investigations.

Car hits utility pole in Stafford

A Stafford 20-year-old is hospitalized with internal injuries, following a mid-morning collision in the township today, near Ocean Acres.

Joshua R. Handel, of Manahawkin, was flown to Atlanticare Trauma Center in Atlantic City, according to township police who responded to the crash of his car into a utility pole at about 10:30 AM.

Police said that Handel's car, westbound on Route 72, veered off the highway and into the pole as it approached Lighthouse Drive.

Ocean Acres-area traffic underwent detours for about 30 minutes after the crash, police said.

An investigation continues by Patrolman Allen Jillson.

Two drivers, their SUVs, gas pump, utility pole damaged in Middletown

The Sunday crash of two Jeeps in Middletown that left the drivers injured and also incurred damage to a gas staton and a utility pole remains under investigation by township police.

Authorities did not reveal the identities of the drivers of the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cheroke that crashed on eastbound Route 36 in the Belford section at about 12:23 PM on February 19.

Police said that both vehicles careened off the pavement and into the J&R Sunoco station fronting the highway. The
Wrangler hit a gas pump and the Grand Cherokee rammed a utility pole.

The nature and extent of each driver's injuries is also being withheld by police, while they elicit more information from anyone who witnessed the crash, or events leading up to it.

Citizens can reach Corporal Thomas Russo of the Middletown PD Traffic Safety Unit, 732-615-2100, extension 2144.