Route 37 Collision Sends Vehicle into Oncoming Traffic

Toms River Police say an accident that sent one vehicle over the median of Route 37 into oncoming traffic and overturned after colliding was caused when another driver changed lanes without adequately making sure the path was clear.

A two-vehicle accident was reported at 1:30 p.m. today on Route 37 eastbound near the Garden State Parkway, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

The police chief said Frank Loretta Jr., 26, of Vineland, was in the middle lane of Route 37 eastbound when he started to change lanes.

He “at first did not observe another vehicle in the left lane,” said Mastronardy in an email.

Jessica Ryan, 23 of Toms River, was in the left lane driving a 2000 Mercury and collided with Loretta’s 2007 Ford truck, said Mastronardy.

He said this contact resulted in Ryan loosing control of the Mercury, crossing the Route 37 median, crashing through the chain link fence there and overturning. The vehicle was sent through oncoming traffic, crossing the three westbound lanes of traffic before striking a sign, guide wire and utility pole on the westbound side, Mastronardy said.

Ryan was transported to Community Medical Center for minor injuries and Toms River Police Corporal Sean McHugh is investigating.