Little Egg Harbor man, three more, hurt in Atlantic County crash

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - A Wednesday evening crash here, that injured four and sent one car sprawling across the road on its roof, leads to traffic citations for a driver from Little Egg Harbor. Investigators seek witnesses as they consider whether criminal charges also apply.

Phillip Ettell, 44, was hospitalized, and was cited for disregarding a traffic signal, careless driving, and driving with a suspended license.

The collision, at Fire Road and Washington Avenue, sent the car driven by Anaya Coles, 19, of Pleasantville, careening across the intersection on its roof. She and two passengers were hospitalized as well.

Officers were summoned at about 6:27 PM. Authorities alleged that Ettell, behind the wheel of a Mazda CX-7, ignored a red signal as he entered the intersection where Coles, in a 2006 Ford Focus, was negotiating a left turn, onto Fire Road, across his lane of travel. The crash forced traffic away from the spot for about two hours.

Tri-Care Emergency Medical Services members treated Ettell on site before taking him to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus. Coles and her passengers were also rushed to the same hospital following treatment by emergency medical teams from Egg Harbor Township and Tri-Care, and AtlantiCare paramedics.

Anyone who saw the crash is urged to call EHT Officers Louis Poletis, Thomas Rocco or Robert Moran in the Traffic Safety Unit, 609-926-2661.

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