Truck careens into Manchester woods, drivers emerge unhurt, say police

Two truckers escape practically unscathed, but their rigs are wrecks after a Monday morning rush-hour crash in Manchester.

Police responded at 8:27 AM to the collision on Route 539 in the Whiting section. A Mack tri-axle dump truck was facing south in a patch of woods, pinned under several trees off the northbound lanes, while a Freightliner box truck sat on the shoulder with driver's side damage.

Investigators determined that the northbound Freightliner, driven by Pablos R. Cespedes, 48, of Passaic, crossed the dividing line and collided with the dump truck. Kevin M. Howell of Westville, behind the wheel of the Mack, lost control and sailed into the woods, hitting several trees.

Police said that both drivers wore seat restraints. Cespedes was uninjured, and Howell declined medical attention for knee injuries, police added.

Authorities did not indicate contributing factors to the Freightliner's path of travel, nor did they indicate whether Cespedes would be ticketed or charged.

Whiting Volunteer First Aiders assisted at the site. Traffic Safety Patrolman Ian Boles is in charge of the investigation.