Car mangled, truck flips, drivers hurt in Manchester head-on

A head-on crash between a car and a dump truck on a busy two-lane in Manchester early this morning leaves both drivers with extensive injuries.

According to Manchester police, Erin K. Dougherty, 40, of Little Egg Harbor, and Robert J. Letu, 72, of Jackson, were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune in the aftermath of the collision on Route 539 that left her car crushed and his truck lying on its side.

Investigators said that Dougherty's 2010 Toyota Corolla crossed the center line at about 6:30 AM, placing it in the path of the Peterbilt dumper owned by Bil-Jim Construction of Jackson.

After the crash, the truck landed on the passenger side, its payload of 25 tons of gravel cascading onto the road, resulting in a closure that kept traffic detoured for several hours.

Dougherty needed treatment of back pain and lacerations on her arms and body. Letu was treated for shoulder, back and neck pain. Police did not indicate whether the drivers wore restraints, what speeds they maintained, whether rain affected traction or visibility, or whether charges would ensue for either.