DWI Charges Pending Against Toms River Man in Head-On Crash

Potential drunk driving charges are pending against a Toms River man who was involved in a head-on collision on Whitesville Road in Jackson, police said.

Jackson police said Wednesday that, according to witnesses and an investigation, a 2013 Honda Civic being driven by Michael Odonoghue, 54, was being operated erratically and without any headlights or taillights on as it was traveling south on Whitesville Road at the time of the 5:10 p.m. Tuesday accident.

As the vehicles were near the intersection of Grawtown Road, the Honda "unexplainably and suddenly swerved into the opposite lane of travel" and collided head on with a 2001 Kia Optima that was being driven by Todd Gibson Sr., 53, of Jackson, according to a statement issued by police.

There was extensive damage to the vehicles and Gibson had to be extricated from the Kia Optima by personnel from the Whitesville Fire Department, though both men sustained injuries that were not thought to be life threatening, according to police. Both men were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment.

"By observations made by officers at the scene and evidence collected, officers developed probable cause to believe that both drivers had been consuming alcohol prior to the crash," the statement said.

Investigating officers applied for, and obtained warrants to have blood drawn from each of the drivers. The crash is still under investigation and potential charges are pending, the statement said.

Anyone who may have been a witness to the accident is being asked to contact Jackson police at 732-928-1111. The crash was investigated by officers Donald Lasko, Joseph Candido and Trevor Crowley. Officers Shawn Hobson, Sean Greenberger, Christopher Wasnesky, Tristan Bennett, Andy Falzarano and Sgt. Brian Geoghegan also responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation and traffic control.