MANCHESTER — A 65-year-old township man died after a three-vehicle collision on State Highway 70 that shut down the roadway for several hours, authorities said.
Manchester Township police said officers were dispatched to the intersection of Route 70 and Beckerville Road at approximately 3:26 p.m. February 25 for a report of a four-vehicle crash.
When officers arrived, they found a 2014 Lincoln MKX with heavy front-end damage stopped in the eastbound lane. A 2016 Nissan Rogue with significant front-end damage was located on the snow-covered dirt shoulder of the eastbound side, and a 2019 Honda Passport with rear driver’s side damage was found on the westbound shoulder.
Investigators determined the Honda and Lincoln were traveling westbound on Route 70, while the Nissan was heading eastbound. Police said the Honda slowed to make a right turn onto Beckerville Road when the Lincoln struck the rear driver’s side of the SUV.
After the initial impact, the Honda came to rest on the westbound shoulder. The Lincoln crossed the center line and collided head-on with the eastbound Nissan. The force of the crash caused the Lincoln to rotate about 180 degrees before stopping in the eastbound lane. The Nissan was pushed backward onto the shoulder, where it came to rest.
A fourth vehicle sustained minor damage, but investigators determined it was not involved in the initial collision.
The Lincoln’s driver, Lisandro V. Morales, 65, of Manchester, suffered severe internal injuries. He was transported to Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Nissan’s driver, Joseph Rodaligo, 37, of Jackson, sustained internal and neck injuries and was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment.
The Honda’s driver, Jociane Costa De Souza, 33, of Delanco, and her 4-year-old passenger were not injured, police said.
Route 70 remained closed for several hours as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Assisting agencies included the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson paramedics, the New Jersey Department of Transportation Diversion Team and Priced Rite Towing.
The investigation remains active. Police said following too closely appears to be the primary contributing factor. Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit is leading the investigation.
