November 17, 2023

MANCHESTER, NJ (OCEAN)–Police say that on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at approximately 6:00 p.m., officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of 2011 Route 37 for the report of a car verse bicyclist. Upon arrival, officers observed a white 2021 Dodge Ram Cargo Van with damage to the front passenger side and extensive damage to the front windshield. Officer’s also observed a male lying on the grass area in front of the plaza and a black electric bike with extensive damage. The driver of the Dodge Ram Cargo Van was identified as, 34-year-old Jack Ravenna of Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Ravenna did not sustain any injuries as a result of the crash. The rider of the electric bike was identified as, 46-year-old Raymond Santory of Manchester, NJ. Mr. Santory sustained trauma to his right leg and several lacerations to his head and face. Mr. Santory was flown via MEDAVAC, to Jersey Shore University Hospital Trauma Center, in Neptune, NJ to be further elevated for his injuries.  

The crash investigation revealed that the Dodge Ram Cargo Van was traveling west on State Highway 37 in the right travel lane. The Dodge Ram Cargo Van traveling west on State Highway 37 was approaching the entrance to 2011 Route 37 and began to make a right turn into the entrance. Mr. Santory was traveling east in the westbound shoulder of State Highway 37 on his electric bike wearing dark clothing and no helmet. Mr. Santory impacted the Dodge Ram Cargo Van on the front passenger side of the vehicle. Mr. Santory was ejected from his bicycle and then impacted the windshield of the vehicle on the passenger side. After initial impact with the Dodge Ram Cargo Van, Mr. Santory and his electric bicycle continued to travel east approximately 10 feet before coming to final rest on the grass section of the plaza.  

Assisting at the scene were EMT’s from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Medical Services, and Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, but at this point, the failure to ride a bicycle with the flow of traffic and the use of dark clothing are the primary contributing factors in the crash. This crash is being investigated by Patrolman Conner Yatauro of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.