A horrific scene unfolded in Lakewood early this morning when a violent single-vehicle crash claimed the life of one individual and left another seriously injured. The vehicle involved in the crash went airborne and overturned deep into a wooded area—and went undetected for nearly an hour, police tell Lakewood Alerts.
Police say the terrifying chain of events began sometime before 1:30 AM along Cedarbridge Avenue near the entrance to the Garden State Parkway. Police were initially dispatched after a passing truck driver reported seeing downed wires and a fallen utility pole, but there was no sign of a vehicle at the scene.
Crews from JCP&L were called to address the electrical hazard. But it wasn’t until nearly an hour later, while JCP&L personnel were working on repairs, that the chilling sound of screams pierced the darkness. The cries led first responders to a grim discovery—an overturned vehicle buried approximately 200 feet into the woods, completely hidden from view.
Inside, both the driver and passenger were trapped in the mangled wreckage. Emergency teams launched a rapid extrication effort. The driver was pulled from the twisted metal and rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with serious injuries. Tragically, the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, believed to have died on impact.
Authorities from the Lakewood Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit, along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and CSI, are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Parkway entrance and exit in the area have been shut down to facilitate the investigation. With multiple utility poles damaged and significant infrastructure repairs underway, officials warn that delays and detours are likely to last throughout Tuesday.