Crime & Safety

Car Accident Creates Power Outage, Detours on Route 571

Accident near Gardens of Pleasant Plains created two-hour power outage

A one-car accident into a utility pole on Route 571 near Smokerise Lane caused a two-hour power outage starting noon Friday.

Mary Sulikowski, 85, was westbound on Route 571 when her 2002 Mercury left the roadway and struck a guard rail, and then a utility pole, and rolled over on its side, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. 

The accident downed utility lines, detouring traffic on Route 571 near Clayton Avenue. The accident also caused power outages in the residential neighborhoods of The Gardens of Pleasant Plains, as well as along Whitesville Road, Mastronardy said.

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The driver was trapped in the vehicle for about half hour, Mastronardy said. She was transported by Toms River Police EMS to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune with a head injury.

Power returned to the area around 2 p.m., Mastronardy said. 

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The Pleasant Plains and Silverton fire companies responded to the incident.  Toms River Police Lieutenant Michael Brosnan coordinated police operations, with the Ocean County Road Department assisting. Traffic Safety Corporals Frank Palino and Ralph Stocco are investigating the accident.

 


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