At approximately 11:24 pm on Wednesday, Manchester police responded to State Highway 70 to investigate a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles that collided head-on.
Upon arrival, officers observed a white 2014 Acura MDX facing west in the eastbound lane of travel. The second vehicle, a 2007 Ford Escape, was facing west in the wood line of the eastbound shoulder. Both vehicles sustained extensive front end damage.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the Acura was traveling westbound, and the Ford was traveling eastbound on State Highway 70. The Acura then crossed over the centerline in an attempt to pass two vehicles and entered the Ford’s path of travel. Both vehicles attempted to avoid the collision by swerving towards the eastbound shoulder of the roadway. At that time, the front driver side of the Acura impacted the front driver side of the Ford. The force of the crash caused the Ford to rotate clockwise and be redirected into the wood line where the front end impacted a tree.
The operator and sole occupant of the Acura was identified as, 61-year-old, Scott Steward of Browns Mills, NJ. Steward was found to be wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and the Acura had front and side airbag deployment. Steward sustained minor injuries resulting from the collision and ultimately refused further medical attention on scene.
The operator and sole occupant of the Ford was identified as, 22-year-old, Jake Fee of East Windsor, NJ. Fee was found to be wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision and the Ford had front airbag deployment.
Fee sustained extensive injuries resulting from the collision and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he is currently listed in critical but stable condition.