Car Strikes Utility Pole in Thursday Crash, Causing Power Outages

Power outages were reported Thursday after a township woman struck a utility pole on Church Road.

Kary Zayas, 27, of Toms River was driving a Dodge eastbound on Church Road when it left the roadway just west of Route 9 and struck a utility pole then tree just before 7 a.m. Thursday, said Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy. 

The crash caused power outages in the area, including traffic lights along Route 9 in Pleasant Plains. JCP&L and Verizon arrived to make repairs, the chief said. 

Zayas reported to Cpl. Frank Palino, who is investigating the crash, that she "was looking away from the roadway to reach for something on the passenger seat," Mastronardy said. 

Also assisting at the scene was the Pleasant Plains Fire Department, according to Mastronardy.