MANCHESTER – Two people were injured when a motorcycle and an SUV collided at a busy Manchester intersection, police said.
The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. on October 4 at County Route 571 and Ridgeway Boulevard. Investigators said a Honda CRV heading south on Ridgeway entered the intersection and struck a westbound Indian Chief motorcycle. The impact threw the motorcyclist from the bike and caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Police identified the motorcycle rider as 59-year-old Erik Palmblad of Toms River and the SUV driver as 70-year-old Lizzie Richardson of Manchester. Both were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Firefighters and first responders from Ridgeway and Manchester assisted at the scene, along with Robert Wood Johnson paramedics. The road was closed for several hours while crews cleared the wreckage.
Authorities said early findings suggest the crash may have been caused by a failure to stop or yield at the intersection. The investigation is ongoing under Patrolman Jesse Hoydis of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.
