Driver hospitalized after fiery Manchester crash

A Brick Township man sustained serious injuries Tuesday morning when his minivan collided with an ambulance and a pickup truck and burst into flames on Route 70 in Manchester.

Lee W. Smith, 60, was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after complaining of chest pains, according to township police.

Investigators say no patients were in the Quality Medical Transport ambulance that was stopped at a red light on the highway at Colonial Drive at about 9:10 AM. Smith's Toyota minivan ignited after crashing into the back of the Ford E-Series ambulance. The impact extended to a Ford Ranger pickup also stopped at the signal, police said.

Unable to squelch the flames, police summoned Manchester firefighters. Detours around the spot remained in place for about an hour during investigations and cleanup.

Steven Purtell, 20, of Forked River, and Hlif Gabrish, 32, of Waretown, were in the ambulance and were brought to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment of neck and back pains. Jose Chacon, 37, of Lakewood, was behind the wheel of the pickup and did not seek medical help, police said.