Toms River Woman, 30, Dies After Crashing into Utility Pole on Hooper

Police continue to investigate what caused Nicole Lavecchia, 30, of Toms River, to leave the road and fatally crash into a utility pole and sign on Hooper Avenue near Orchard Street.

Lavecchia died at the scene, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. Her white 2011 Hyundai Sonata was traveling northbound when it left the road and struck a utility pole, in a one-car accident still under investigation.

Lavecchia was alone in the car, said the police chief.

Bright orange spray paint from the investigation marked the curb and grass along Hooper northbound between Orchard and Franklin avenues this afternoon. The shattered glass from Lavecchia's car and the deep grooves in the dirt from tires could be found near a bent speed limit sign and a utility pole with a meter newly fastened to it.

The accident is the first vehicular fatality in 2012 for Toms River, said Mastronardy. 

Toms River Fire Company 1 & 2 responded to the accident that required Hooper Avenue to be closed from Dayton to Grand for two hours.

Traffic Safety Officers Eugene Bachonski and Robert Westfall are investigating along with Sergeant Raymond Maloney and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information is asked to call police headquarters at 732-349-0150.