Three Hurt, One Hospitalized, in Manchester 7-Car Crash

A Manchester 69-year-old was rushed into trauma care in the aftermath of today's grisly seven-car crash on Route 37 in the township.

James F. Hilberg of the Whiting section was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, according to township police.

Hilberg was traveling in a 2011 Jeep, westbound on the highway, and rear-ended a 2009 Honda driven by Katherine Marciano, 90, also of Manchester, near Commonwealth Boulevard, authorities said.

After the impact, Hiblerg's car continued careening westbound into a 2009 Subaru driven by Frank Sardoni, 78, of Manchester, then into a 2013 dump truck driven by Richard Bonilla, 30, of Farmingdale, police said.

Hilberg's car lurched into the oncoming lanes and collided head-on with a 2005 Hyundai driven by Christopher Butler, 28, of Manchester, authorities said.

After being impacted by Hilberg's car, Marciano's car rammed the rear of a 2012 Nissan driven by Jayson Hodges, 44, of Manchester's Whiting section, which launched Hodges's car into the back of a 2014 Honda driven by Juanito Canete, 72, of Manchester, police said.

Marciano and Hodges were treated for chest and back pains at Community Medical Center in Toms River.

All drivers and passengers were strapped in with seat belts, police said.