Head-On Crash on Route 537 Leaves One Dead and One in Serious Condition

September 17, 2023

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–New Jersey State Police, SFC Philip Curry of the Office of Public Information told MidJersey.news that on September 17, 2023, a crash occurred at 2:50 p.m. on County Road 537 westbound milepost 34.4 in Upper Freehold. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Jeep Laredo was traveling westbound on County Route 537 in Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County. A Buick Enclave was traveling eastbound on County Route 537. In the area of milepost 34.4 the Jeep crossed over the center line in an attempt to overtake traffic and impacted the Buick head on. As a result of this crash the driver of the Buick, a 79-year-old female from Manalapan, NJ, sustained fatal injuries. The driver of the Jeep, John Shovelin III, 23, of Rumson, NJ, sustained serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.