A two-vehicle crash in Manchester left multiple people injured Wednesday afternoon and prompted a driving while intoxicated investigation.
The Manchester Township Police Department said officers responded at approximately 12:33 p.m. to the intersection of State Highway 70 and Woodview Drive, where a 2021 Hyundai Elantra collided with a 2016 Mack GU7 roll-off dumpster truck. The Hyundai sustained heavy driver-side damage while the Mack truck suffered significant front-end damage.
Investigators said the Hyundai, driven by Shakiya Duncan, 33, of Atlantic City, had been traveling westbound when it veered onto the shoulder and attempted a sudden U-turn to head eastbound. The Mack truck, operated by Peter Lewis, 69, of Jackson, tried to avoid the vehicle by steering left but struck the Hyundai, pushing it toward a median.
Duncan and her two passengers — Dajuan Daniels, 19, of Atlantic City, and Jessica Almanzar, 35, of Manchester — were extricated by emergency personnel. Duncan and Daniels were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, while Almanzar was transported to Community Medical Center as a precaution. Lewis reported no injuries.
Police said suspected controlled dangerous substances were found in the Hyundai. Improper turning and suspected impaired driving are believed to be contributing factors, and charges including DWI are pending.
The Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Joint Base MDL Fire Department, Manchester Fire Department, Manchester EMS, Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics, and Priced Rite Towing assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by Manchester police traffic officers Jesse Hoydis and Connor Yatauro.