Toms River Man Airlifted After Accident at Hooper Ave., Route 37

Toms River police are investigating an accident involving a tractor trailer and a 1999 Mazda, which occured at the intersection of Hooper Avenue and Route 37 at 6 a.m. today. 

An initial investigation by Traffic Safety Officer Terry Warren and Officer Thomas Leach indicated the driver of the Mazda, a 37-year-old Toms River man, was asleep at the traffic light southbound on Hooper Avenue when he was suddenly awakened, according to Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. 

The Toms River man then drove across Route 37 in front of the tractor trailer that was eastbound on Route 37, Mastronardy said. 

Police did not go into detail as to the 37 year old's injuries, but he was transported by helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.

The tractor trailer driver was not injured, police said.

Traffic was detoured for two hours during the accident investigation, according to Mastronardy.

Also assisting in the investigation are the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.