MANCHESTER – A 77-year-old woman was sent to a shore area Trauma Center after being involved in a two-car crash on Route 70 Tuesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred around 6:03 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 70 and County Route 571. Officers found a 2021 Honda Accord facing east in the intersection with extensive passenger side damage and a 2022 Subaru Outback facing west in the eastbound turn lane with extensive front-end damage.
Investigation revealed that the driver of the Honda, 79-year-old Dominic Tobacco of Manchester, was attempting to make a left hand turn onto north County Route 571 when he was hit by the Subaru which was traveling west on State Highway 70.
The Subaru impacted the passenger side of the Honda causing it to rotate about 45 degrees and come to final rest facing east in the intersection, police said. After the initial impact, the Subaru continued to travel west before it came to final rest facing west in the east bound turn lane of State Highway 70.
Inside the Honda with Dominic was 77-year-old Justina Tobacco. Dominic complained of pain and was brought to Community Medical Center for further evaluation. Justina suffered possible head trauma and was transported via Medevac helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for further evaluation, police said.
The driver of the Subaru was identified as 74-year-old Charles Jannetti, and also inside the car was 72-year-old, Janet Jannetti, both from Manchester. Both were brought to Community Medical Center for complaints of pain.
Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and fire fighters from Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company and Manchester Volunteer Fire Company. The roadway was partially closed during rescue and cleanup.
At this time, the crash is still under investigation but police believe failure to yield to oncoming traffic appears to be the contributing factor. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety section.
