Driver Suffers Medical Episode, Crashes Into Pole

MANCHESTER – Two Ocean County residents have been hospitalized after a driver suffered a medical episode and crashed into a utility pole Tuesday, police said.

The single-car crash occurred at the intersection of Route 70 and Green Acres Road. According to police, a 2020 Honda SUV was traveling east on Route 70 when the driver suffered a medical episode causing the car to veer off the roadway. The vehicle traveled about 55 feet in the grass shoulder before colliding into a utility pole.

The driver of the Honda, 72-year-old Michael R. Kehrle of Manchester, suffered chest and neck injuries and was flown via medevac to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune. The occupant of the Honda, 67-year-old Leslie A. Kehrle of Manchester, suffered injuries to her head and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for further evaluation of her injuries.

Police said that both occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash and are currently listed in stable condition.

Assisting at the scene were EMTs and firefighters from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, firefighters from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson, Robert Wood Johnson LifeFlight, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation Diversion Team.

The investigation into this crash is ongoing, police said. The crash is being investigated by Ptl. Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.