UPDATED: Northbound Route 166 Traffic Being Detoured After Car Crashes Into Pole

Northbound traffic on Route 166 in Toms River is being detoured after a car collided with a utility pole Friday afternoon.

The single-car crash occurred on the highway north of Old Freehold Road at about 3 p.m., said Toms River Police Department Chief Michael Mastronardy. 

According to police, 78-year-old Carolyn Gambino of Bayville, was proceeding southbound on Route 166 when her 2004 Saturn left the roadway, struck some roadway signs, then sideswiped a 2007 Saturn operated by Louise Opepe, 43, of Toms River, who was also headed in a southbound direction, before striking a utility pole.

Responding to the accident scene were Toms River Fire Companies No. 1 and No. 2. Gambino was then transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, said police.

The northbound lane on Route 166 was closed and traffic was detoured on to Old Freehold Road. The chief said that the collision damaged three utility poles.