The incident happened in an area of Route 72 near the bridge that was reduced to one traffic lane in both directions due to construction, police said.
Police shut down that area of Route 72 in both direction for approximately one hour. (File photo). STAFFORD TWP. -- Two people were taken to the hospital Saturday after a pickup truck trailering a 21-foot boat rear-ended a BMW, police said.
The BMW sport utility vehicle, driven by Kimberly Hogan of Long Beach Township, was traveling westbound on Route 72 at around 3:20 p.m. when it encountered heavy traffic as a result of Ship Bottom's Christmas parade, said police Capt. Thomas Dellane.
Hogan hit the traffic at an area of Route 72 near the bridge that was reduced to one traffic lane in both directions due to construction.
A Ford F-150 pickup truck, with a 21-foot boat attached to it, behind the BMW tried to slow down but was unable to. The truck's driver, Lance Elias of Langhorn, Pa., swerved to the left to avoid hitting the BMW but rear-ended it, Dellane said. The BMW spun around as a result of the impact.
The truck then struck a Subaru S.U.V. being driven by Eileen Kane of Tucson, Ariz., head-on in the eastbound side of the roadway, Dellane said.
Two passengers in the pickup truck were taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, but the seriousness of their injuries is unclear.
The drivers of all three vehicles did not need medical attention, Dellane said.
The crash shut down that area of Route 72 in both directions for approximately one hour. It remains under investigation, Dellane said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 609-597-1189 ext. 8450.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
