Fatal Accident On LBI Shuts Major Road For Hours

SHIP BOTTOM – The first weekend of the summer was met with tragedy on Long Beach Island as a three vehicle accident killed a man and shut down a major road for five hours.

Ship Bottom Police said the unidentified driver of a Toyota was driving at speeds topping out at over 100 miles per hour before crashing into a garbage truck and Ford pickup truck early Saturday morning.

According to Ship Bottom Police, they had been advised by officers in another jurisdiction of an erratic driver speeding on Long Beach Boulevard.

In a press release issued Saturday afternoon, police said that both their department and the one from the other community kept a safe distance from the speeding car as it continued into town. Police also confirm there was no vehicle pursuit.

The Toyota entered Ship Bottom and became involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Long Beach Blvd and 11th Street. No other injuries were reported

The driver of the Toyota, a Pennsylvania man, was transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Police said Long Beach Blvd was closed from 9th Street to 12th Street for approximately 5 hours.

The accident is still under investigation.