MANCHESTER – A multiple-vehicle accident last night left an 80-year-old woman in serious condition after she was trapped inside her car, police said.
Around 4:28 p.m., the Manchester Township Police Department responded to County Route 530 by Congasia Road in the Whiting section of town regarding an accident involving multiple cars.
Police found a Toyota Corolla with extensive front-end damage, with the driver still trapped inside the car. In addition, three other cars, including a trailer, were found involved.
According to police, 54-year-old Bruce Hay of Whiting was driving traveling east on Route 530 in his Dodge Ram when his utility trailer suddenly dislodged from the tow hitch, extending the safety chains and separating from the truck.
Marylou Bierwirth, 80, of Whiting, was driving west on Route 530 when she collided head on with the dislodged trailer. Police confirmed that Bierwirth was wearing a seatbelt and multiple airbags were deployed at the time of the crash.
As a result, Bierwirth became trapped inside her car. Members from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department extricated her for the car and she was immediately transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by Robert Wood Johnson Flight medevac helicopter. Police said she was listed in serious but stable condition.
An Acura driven by 20-year-old Kayleigh McDonough of Bayville and a Buick driven by 71-year-old Renette Jackson of Whiting, were also involved in a collision.
Police determined that the when Jackson decelerated in response to the initial crash, McDonough stuck Jackson from behind.
All drivers were wearing their seatbelts and Jackson had a complaint of pain, however refused medical treatment, police said.
Assisting at the scene were the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, Manchester Emergency Medical Services, and the Ocean County Road Department. The crash remains under investigation by Sergeant Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Department Traffic Safety section.
