A three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Commonwealth Boulevard and Bismarck Street sent three people to the hospital Tuesday night and left one vehicle overturned, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and an ongoing police investigation.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:46 p.m. on April 8, 2025. Upon arrival, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department found a white 2017 Chevrolet Equinox overturned on its roof just north of the intersection. A blue 2021 Honda Accord was located in the northwest corner of the intersection with significant front-end damage, while a gray 2005 Honda Civic was discovered off the roadway, also with extensive damage.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Chevrolet, driven by a juvenile from Toms River, was heading northbound on Bismarck Street and entered the intersection, reportedly disregarding a stop sign. The Honda Accord, driven by 28-year-old Adan Espinal of Manchester, was traveling westbound on Commonwealth Boulevard and collided with the Chevrolet’s passenger side. The impact caused the Chevrolet to become airborne and strike the stationary Honda Civic, which was waiting at the stop sign.
The Chevrolet then rolled onto its roof and came to rest in the roadway. The Honda Accord spun approximately 45 degrees before stopping in the intersection’s northwest corner.
The juvenile driver of the Chevrolet sustained minor injuries, and a 5-month-old baby in the backseat was uninjured. Both were transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center by ambulance. Espinal was taken to Community Medical Center for minor injuries. The driver of the Honda Civic, 36-year-old Jacob Lob of Manchester, was unharmed.
The road was temporarily closed for cleanup and investigation. Emergency personnel from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Hatzolah, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson Paramedics all responded to the scene.
While the investigation remains active, police say failure to obey a stop sign appears to be the primary contributing factor. The incident is being investigated by Patrolman Sage Sysol of the department’s Traffic Safety Section.