Lakehurst teen critical after Route 37 mishap in Manchester

A Lakehurst 16-year-old is hospitalized in critical condition after being run down by a car on Route 37 in Manchester Monday evening.

Police say the teen was bicycling, and crossing the highway at Commonwealth Boulevard at about 8:31 PM. A westbound Toyota Camry driven by Monica Holiday, 37, collided with the teen. The investigation forced drivers into detours for several hours.

Authorities did not identify the teen except to say that he is a student at Manchester Township High School and was unhelmeted. He was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Police said that the teen was crossing from the east side of the highway to the west side, and that the driver was westbound, accompanied in the car by her nine-year-old son.

Initial information offered no details on the status of any nearby traffic signals, the driver's rate of speed, lighting or pavement conditions, whether any witnesses were present, or the driver's home town.

They noted that the driver was wearing a seat belt, and was treated for shoulder and neck pain at Community Medical Center in Toms River.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Emergency Response Team, the Ocean County Sheriff's Crime Scene Investigation unit, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Vehicular Homicide team and MONOC paramedics assisted.

Manchester Pd Officers Ian Bole and Antonio Ellis continue the investigation.