Four injured in Stafford crash, police seek witnesses

Four people are seriously hurt in the aftermath of a Wednesday-morning car crash on Route 72 in Stafford Township, and police seek witnesses as they continue a probe into it.

Nick Rizzi, 83, and his passenger Manual Matus, 86, of Manahawkin, were flown to Atlanticare Trauma Center in Atlantic City along with Cecelio Torres, 52, of Barnegat, the driver of the second car.

Torres's passenger, Ciriaco Morales, needed extrication by Stafford firefighters and was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center, police said.

All four were listed in stable condition.

A preliminary report describes the 2008 Ford Edge driven by Rizzi in the eastbound lanes, approaching Barnacle Drive at about 10:28 AM. At that moment, a 2003 Ford Windstar minivan driven by Torres entered the highway from Barnacle Drive, resulting in a right-angle collision, police said.

According to police, charges have not been filed, but are pending. Anyone with information that can help the investigation should call Officer Justin Pascale of the Stafford PD Traffic Safety division, 609-597-1189, ext. 8436.