A collision shuttered Bay Avenue near Tanglewood Road and sent two Toms River residents this afternoon, after a teen driver said her car experienced steering problems.

Maria Gomez-Botero, 17 of Park Crest Road in Toms River, was operating a 1999 Volkswagen westbound on Bay Avenue when she reported her vehicle experienced steering problems, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

Her vehicle crossed the centerline and struck a 2011 Honda that was eastbound on Bay Avenue, then struck a tree, said the police chief. The eastbound vehicle was operated by Elaine Cheek, 60 of Toms River, whose vehicle left the road and struck the curb and a mailbox, then rolled over once before coming to a stop.

Bay Avenue was closed in both directions for about one hour due to the accident. The road reopened around 3 p.m. Traffic was detoured between Cedar Grove Road and Twin Oaks.

Both drivers were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River by Toms River Police EMS. 

"The injuries were minor," said Mastronardy.

The investigation is being conducted by Toms River Police Traffic Officers Brian Doyle and Frank Palino.

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A Manchester man was hospitalized after striking the cement median of Route 70 on Tuesday, in a one-car accident, police said.

Anthony Rodriguez, 26 of Woodland Road in Manchester Township was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram westbound on Route 70 at noon Tuesday when his vehicle collided with the concrete median by Massachusetts Avenue.  "Witnesses found that the Dodge went onto the shoulder then went directly into the median, traveling several feet before coming to rest," said Mastronardy in a statement.

Traffic Safety Officer Eugene Bachonski is investigating the one vehicle accident then resulted in Rodriguez being transported by Toms River Police EMS to Jersey shore Medical Center with a leg and head injury.