TOMS RIVER – Police said that a driver looked at the GPS on his phone, which caused him to run a red light on the evening of October 29.
Ronaldo Cortes, 18, of South Toms River, was driving east on Route 37 in a Volvo when he looked at the GPS on his phone, police said. He went through the intersection at Mule Road when the light was red. His Volvo struck a Kia, which then hit a nearby Lexus. Those two vehicles were both heading south on Mule Road at the time.
The driver of the Kia, Stephen McCrea, 56, of Lakehurst, was not reported to be injured.
The Lexus overturned, slid through the intersection, and managed to land back on its wheels in the southbound lanes of Mule Road. The driver, Patrick Brady, 75, and passenger Betty Brady, 69, both of Toms River, were brought to Community Medical Center for minor injuries to their shoulders and arms.
Cortes was charged with Failing to Observe a Traffic Signal, Illegally using a Cell Phone While Driving, Driving Without a License, and Driving While Suspended.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
