The pick-up truck hit a street sign and a light pole before crashing into a large tree, authorities said
MANCHESTER -- A Manchester man was seriously injured after he apparently fell asleep behind the wheel before crashing into a tree and taking down a light pole and street sign, authorities said Saturday.
Police are still investigating Friday's 3:13 p.m. crash, but Manchester police Chief Lisa Parker said it appears Richard Gilmore, 70, may have fallen asleep when he drove off the side of the road on Route 530 east near Valley Stream Drive.
Parker said Gilmore's red 2000 Mazda B 3000 pick-up truck crashed into a road sign and a light pole before it slammed head-on into a large pine tree.
Gilmore, who sustained "multiple" internal injuries, was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was in serious but stable condition, the chief said.
She said it appears Gilmore was not wearing a seatbelt at the time. The pick-up truck's front airbags deployed, she noted.
Assisting at the scene were members of the Whiting Volunteer Fire Co., paramedics from MONOC, and EMTs from the Whiting Volunteer First Aid Squad.
The crash is being investigated by Manchester traffic safety Sgt. Antonio Ellis.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.