July 10, 2023

Manchester Twp NJ – On Sunday, July 9, 2023, at approximately 10:58 a.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to Route 70 near the entrance to Manchester Plaza (Shoprite), for the report of a two vehicle crash with multiple injuries.  

Upon arrival, officers observed a 2008 black Chevrolet HHR, and a blue 2006 Toyota Sienna with heavy damage. The passenger of the Toyota, 93-year-old Helena Vanhouten of Whiting, NJ was entrapped with serious injuries. First responders were able to stabilize the Toyota and extricate Mrs. Vanhouten. She was later airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center via medevac. The driver of the Toyota, 94-year-old, Donald Vanhouten of Whiting, NJ, sustained injuries to his head and abdomen. Mr. Vanhouten was transported via ground to JSMC. Both occupants were observed to have been wearing their seatbelts, and the vehicle had multiple airbag deployments. At this time both occupants of the Toyota are listed as non-critical and stable condition.

The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 62-year-old Angel Fuentes of Whiting, NJ, was transported to Community Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Assisting at the scene were members of the Manchester, Whiting, and Ridgeway Volunteer fire Departments, Emergency Medical Technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services, Robert Wood John University Hospital Paramedics, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital LifeFlight Medevac Helicopter. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, driver error appears to be the main contributing factor. This crash is being investigated by Ptl. Keith Douglas of the Manchester Township Traffic Safety Unit.