A 65-year-old Manchester resident was killed Wednesday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 70 and Beckerville Road.
Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:26 p.m. for a report of a four-car motor vehicle collision.
Upon arrival, police located three heavily damaged vehicles along the highway. A black 2014 Lincoln MKX was found facing east in the eastbound travel lane with extensive front-end damage. A gray 2016 Nissan Rogue was positioned on the snow-covered dirt shoulder of eastbound Route 70, also with significant front-end damage. A white 2019 Honda Passport was located on the westbound shoulder with damage to the driver’s side rear.
An investigation found that the Honda and the Lincoln were traveling westbound on Route 70, while the Nissan was traveling eastbound. Police said the Honda began to decelerate in order to make a right turn onto Beckerville Road when it was struck in the rear driver’s side by the Lincoln.
After the initial impact, the Honda came to rest on the westbound shoulder. The Lincoln was redirected across the centerline, where it collided head-on with the eastbound Nissan. The force of the crash caused the Lincoln to rotate approximately 180 degrees before coming to rest facing east in the eastbound lane. The Nissan was pushed backward onto the snow-covered dirt shoulder, where it also came to rest facing east.
A fourth vehicle was observed with damage to its front bumper and undercarriage; however, investigators determined it was not involved in the initial collision.
The driver of the Lincoln, identified as Lisandro V. Morales, 65, of Manchester, sustained extensive internal injuries and was transported to Community Medical Center. He later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the Nissan, Joseph Rodaligo, 37, of Jackson, suffered several internal injuries as well as neck injuries and was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment.
The Honda was driven by Jociane Costa De Souza, 33, of Delanco. A 4-year-old juvenile female was a passenger in the vehicle. Police said neither occupant of the Honda was injured in the crash.
Route 70 remained closed for several hours while emergency crews responded and investigators processed the scene.