MANCHESTER – An 80-year-old Whiting woman is dead after she crashed her SUV into four trees in a single-vehicle accident, police said. They believe a medical episode contributed to the tragic incident.
Manchester Township Police confirmed the accident happened on the evening of January 20 around 9 p.m. They identified the victim as Patricia Ford, who was driving a Ford Ecosport in the area of New Mexico Drive and Washington Lane.
Police said the investigation revealed that Ford was traveling south on Washington Lane when the SUV went through the stop sign at the intersection of New Mexico Drive. It continued forward and left the roadway driving over the curb.
At that time, the vehicle impacted a wooden fence and impacted a tree with the front driver side of the vehicle. The SUV rotated counterclockwise and impacted three more trees.
Ford was not been wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and multiple airbags within the vehicle deployed.
The Ecosport suffered extensive front end damage.
Officers and EMTs began administering first aid and CPR to Ford. She was transported via ambulance to Community Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
Assisting at the scene were EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, EMTs from South Toms River Emergency Medical Services, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but authorities believe an unknown medical event appears to be the primary contributing factor.
This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Michael O’Hara, Patrolman Brendan Brush, and Patrolman Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit
