Several Injured When Car Crashes into Ocean County ShopRite

Several people suffered minor injuries when an elderly woman lost control of her car Friday and crashed into the Manchester, Ocean County NJ ShopRite.

Woman Crashes into front of Grocery Store

Manchester Police say Patricia Janelli, 89, of Manchester crashed her car into the front of the Manchester ShopRite on Rt. 70 at about 1:03 pm Friday, Jan 5 while attempting to pull her car out of a parking space at the store.

How Did the Crash Happen?

Police say Ms. Janelli was reversing her grey 2017 Toyota Camry out of a parking spot in the ShopRite parking lot.

When she put the vehicle into drive and began to accelerate, she lurched forward, striking a sign support, crossing a landscaped median, driving over the curb, onto the sidewalk, and into the front of the store. The crash caused extensive damage to the building and store merchandise according to authorities.

The Crash Caused Several Injuries

Ms.  Janelli and her passenger, Maxine Lilly of Somerset, NJ. sustained minor injuries and were taken to Community Medical Center. Several shoppers at the ShopRite were treated, evaluated, and transported to local hospitals to be evaluated and treated for their injuries.

Police Determine the Cause of the Crash

Manchester Police think that driver error was the primary reason for the crash.

Firefighters and EMTs from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, and the Manchester Township Building Inspector all assisted at the crash site.