Crashes Jam Two Busy Toms River Roads

One-car crashes on Todd Road and Vaughn Avenue in Toms River this morning left both roads snarled, two drivers hurt, a traffic signal dark, and about 350 JCP&L customers without power.

According to police, 20-year-old Elizabeth Carmen of Manahawkin suffered minor injuries a little after 9 AM when her 2008 Mazda Tribute veered off Todd Road near Raccoon Drive, sheared a power pole and brought wires crashing down with it.

Carmen needed no hospitalization, authorities said. The crash is under investigation.

A short while later, a Honda CRV driven by Deborah Mazza, 55, of Toms River, jumped a curb on Vaughn at Windsor Avenue and careened into a utility box and a fireplug before a tree on a front lawn finally stopped it.

Mazza told police that she jammed the brakes and veered right to avoid rear-ending a car that had stopped for a red signal. She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Police expect repairs for the wiring and traffic signal to last several hours.