Three Hospitalized After Route 70 Accident; Driver Cited For Texting
Afternoon accident closed lanes for about 45 minutes
An afternoon accident at the intersection of state highways 70 and 88 sent three people to area hospitals and resulted in one driver being issued a summons for using a cell phone while driving.
The three-car accident occurred at 2:39 p.m. Thursday, according to police. All three of the drivers involved were waiting at a red light on Route 70 at the intersection at the time.
According to Brick Police Sgt. David Bedrosian, after the light turned green, Shannon C. Straniero, 19, of Brick, proceeded eastbound on the highway in her 2002 Mazda Tribute, but drifted into the westbound lanes and struck two other vehicles, both of which had stopped before the impact.
The force of the impact caused a 2007 Acura MDX being driven by Maria T. Falcon, 51, of Point Pleasant, to be pushed backwards and collide with a 1999 Cadillac DeVille being driven by Jesse W. Leyble, 74, of Toms River.
All three vehicles came to a final rest on the west side of the Laurelton Interchange in the left eastbound travel lane, Bedrosian said.
Straniero was taken to Jersey University Medical Center, Neptune, where she was being treated for internal chest and stomach injuries in the hospital's trauma unit. Falcon and her passenger, Raymond Wagner, 19, of Point Pleasant, were treated at Ocean Medical Center for leg, arm and shoulder injuries.
Officers Tara Schinder John Turrin, as well as Bedrosian and Sgt. Robert Hine were the first arriving units on scene. Turrin is conducting the crash investigation, Bedrosian said.
"Based on Officer Turrin’s investigation, [Straniero] was found to be at fault for the crash and was issued two motor vehicle summonses," said Bedrosian.
The summonses were for careless driving and use of a wireless telephone for texting by an operator of a motor vehicle.
Several of the eastbound lanes of Route 70, on the west side of the interchange, were closed for between 45 and 60 minutes. Congestion in the area was heavy as a result of the crash.
In addition to township police officers, Brick Police EMS, the Laurelton Fire Company and MONOC paramedics responded.
"Distracted driving continues to be a dangerous epidemic on our roadways," said Bedrosian, in a statement. "All drivers are reminded that it is a violation in New Jersey to use a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by an operator of a moving motor vehicle. Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or your hands off the steering wheel - especially texting and cell phone use."
bayboat
9:51 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Yup
WMS826
10:13 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Good...fault was assessed. Now we can move on
tina marie
10:38 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
They need to take her license away, they need harsher penalties for texting and driving!!!!!
Karl
10:56 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Anyone who gets caught texting or talking on the phone while driving needs to be given and charged with a hefty ticket or fine. If you make the laws and actually follow through with them then individuals will stop. They will not take a chance if it is going to cost them a lot of money out of their pocket. If they don't pay the fines then their license needs to be taken away. It is as bad as driving drunk.
Opinionated
11:08 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
The victims should sue the cell phone providers who lobby against stricter laws. Riddle me this: What is the difference between driving while texting and driving drunk? The answer is NONE according to a University of Utah study. The only reason they don't kill more often is because the phone users usually drive in the daytime where the other drivers are more alert as opposed to the night where the DUI's usually prowl.
A Resident
8:25 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Driving and eating/drinking is more of a concern. How many times do you see the person driving while gulping their giant cup of DD. All they can see in front of them is the cup. And then when the jelly from their donut falls on their clothes...they are rushing to wipe that off with no hands on the wheel at all.
Should also have a law against driving and putting make up on. See that many times as well.
Then again....much of the world would be a better place if people had and used common sense.
Opinionated
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Please don't distract the issue at hand. This is typical. Someone who has the same habit will try to blame others rather than look in the mirror and think. But then again you are right. If people had common sense, the world would a better place except for the popliticians. They'd have to actually work for a living.
Bob McKnob
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Yeh, you go opinionated!! You are right on the money, but why stop there!! Then they should sue the cleaner at Wendy's for leaving the toilet seat up, cause if she put it down, The girl would'nt have been delayed enough to avoid the accident. Then they should sue the guy turning into the strip mall, because if he wasn't there, she would have totally avoided the accident and everyone would be ok, and the birds would be singing and the Angels trumpeting and all would be ok with the world. Umm, they offer blue tooth and hands free devices and speakerphone.. What else do you want cell phone makers and providers to do?? Why should they be held accountable for the selfish actions of this woman?
I've been hit by no less than 3 people on their phones or drunk off of their faces in the past 10 years. I still see people of ALL ages on their phones not paying attention. My firm belief is that the law should be changed.. Changed to "if you operate a Motor vehicle and use a cell phone or other device and cause the death or serious physical injury of another. The device shall be immediately confiscated by the police and the victim or victims family should be able to shove said device into the perpetrators rectum right there in the middle of the intersection or accident location where it shall remain for no less than 90 days. How bout it NJMVC!!!
kate
11:17 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hope everyone involved heals quickly from their injuries.....thank goodness nobody was killed. That time of day at that intersection there are a lot of cars and school buses....could have been many more injured.
.
11:51 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
That is such a busy intersection any time of day. This girl wasn't paying attention at all and she is lucky she didn't kill someone. She really needs some serious punishment for this. It's no accident when you are texting and driving!
KC
1:56 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
These kids also pose a hazard texting and walking into traffic. It is a serious issue. They don't take it seriously though.
John C
3:07 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Not that it matters much, but I drove by the accident scene and you have the east/west information incorrect above. She was headed westbound, the Acura and Cadillac were headed Eastbound towards Point.
suzi
6:30 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
my favorite is texting while riding a bike
Taylor Gilman
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
see that all the time, I'm 18 and I cannot even stand that..
Chu-Man-Fu
6:41 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
What ??? No comments suggesting that the INNOCENT 51 and 74 yr. old victims be retested for their ability to operate a motor vehicle? Seems had they not been on the road they wouldn't have been involved in this accident (Sarcasm intended) - I hope all recover quickly from any injuries sustained and that the YOUNG driver gets the maximum penalty and is forced to pay any and all damages / medical expenses. TWIT ! Additonally - publish the contents of her texting so we all know what was so freakin' important that she had to pay more attention to her conversation than to her driving !!!! IMHO ....
accident
8:09 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
I hope the injuried people get the medical help they require. From first hand knowledge, I am surprised that they even issued tickets because when I was hit I was told they didn't witness the person who was distracted run the stop sign so there was nothing they could do. Than the insurance company will play there injuries for 3 years and do nothing but tell you 3 years later that the accident didn't cause you injuries. They willl go to court and have all the tickets dropped and the peron will get off scot free and the injuried people will have to live the rest of their life in pain because of this person who doesn't care about others life but texting and driving.
jim G
8:37 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Wow a 2002 Mazda Tribute that's a nicer car then I driver & I'am over 40 she is 19 and out at 2:30 in the afternoon? Doesn't she work? OR Is she on the extended high school plan?
Callaspade Aspade
9:51 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
no mercy from here for a spoiled brat living off mommy and daddys wallet - probably bought the car for her so what does she care - they'll just buy her another one
clamdigger
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
top jim G; get a better job, a top of the line model value starts at $5k, the base model starts at $4k
clamdigger
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
cammi; since it's an 11yr old vehicle, maybe it belonged to the parents, let the daughter use it and bought themselves a different vehicle.
geeze the girl messed up, is in the hospital and all you can think about is she's spoiled brat, jealous much. get a life.
wookfish
9:14 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
well at least the person who caused it got the worst of it.....usually they walk away unscratched while others suffer...sounds heartless... tough
tuna stick
9:41 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
yes it was heartless. feel better now?
wookfish
10:23 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
absolutly..bleed heart..i feel great knowing there are people like you in the world to protect the feelings of morons who inflict harm on others due to their selfishness...
Bricktown Lew
10:58 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
I tell you, this place we live is a real joke. Years ago, when it was going to be "ILLEGAL" to talk on a phone while driving, emergency service groups that to petition the FCC to be able to allow us volunteers to use our radios in our vehicles LEGALLY. We had to ask the FCC to please allow us to use our radio legally in our vehicles so we have them legally. Well, it was so nice that after cell phone use was illegal for use by the public that they "chew the fat B.S.ing" behind the wheel and not only driving, but turning in front of cops with 1 hand on the wheel.
It's so nice to know that now one has the freedom to drive with 1 or no hands on the wheel and no eyes on the road. Most encouraging is the fact that if by chance they cause an accident, that they don't go to jail like someone who is drunk behind the wheel.
Boy, I hope that ticket gave that texter a "bad day." Awwwww! : ( Nothing worse than forgetting what someone was going to text due to an accident. Whoa! Why do bad things have to happen to the good and innocent people??? I hope the phone wasn't damaged!
Susan
11:18 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
I'll be printing this article & posting it on my teenagers bedroom door. He's got a few years before he drives, but it's never to early to drill this into them. Driving a car takes ALL OF YOUR ATTENTION. It seems lately every time I go out I'm dodging people on the phone or texting! The worst was the young woman who almost slammed into us getting on the parkway because she was looking at her phone!
I hope everyone heals quickly & she learns her lesson - she did get off easy.
clamdigger
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Susan you do that, it will work about as good as MADD and SADD.
Sue
11:52 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Just for all you lowlifes that are trashing the girl you don't know anything about her! She is a teenage girl who made a mistake luckily didnt take anyone's life. There are people out there doing much worst. So instead of sitting on here trashing a 19 year old girl go get a life.
Revolution
2:03 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
did the police mention where this driver as coming from at 230pm?
clamdigger
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
really, who cares, it's a free country. we're free to travel wherever we want and not answer to "the authorities" especially at 2:30 in the afternoon on a highway, it's not like she was cruising through Asbury.
ChooChan
2:03 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Here is what I do know about this girl. How her utter thoughtlessness and disregrard for others caused a traffic accident in which people were injured. Drive the car, that is all anyone is asking. But too many think the world only spins on its axis for them. The problem is, there are never consequences for crappy behavior in this country, and everyone is so wrapped up in their freakin' cell phone. And to someone's point above, I drive my car, with the radio on. All radio controls are on the steering wheel. No phone use, no reaching for my chap stick in the back seat, etc., no eating, no drinking, no reading the newspaper, I just drive the car. That is all anyone should be doing, if you cannot commit, do not get behind the wheel.
Bricktown Lew
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Amen to that, ChooChan!!
Chu-Man-Fu
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Well stated - especially the following statement: " But too many think the world only spins on its axis for them: "
kate
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
The problem..without trying to sound old...I am only 23...the younger generation has been raised with technology. Their phones are an extension of their hand to them. This girl may not be a bad person....they just don't get it. That even a second of being distracted can cause mayhem. My eyes don't leave the road when I am behind the wheel. This is because I was raised to understand the dangers involved with distraction such as this. And if I don't respond to a txt for an hour, too bad....its better than me never responding because I drove into a tree.
Shannon christy straniero
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Jim g part of this is for tou
John
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
your worried about where she was coming from at 2:30 pm what does that have to do with anything
what do you do that you can sit on a website at 2 pm and trash a 19 year old girl
Donnie!
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
All I keep seeing is, "these kids" as if no adult in the history of the world has ever texted while driving. Please, get real. An accident is an accident, period. Whether it was caused by texting, other miscellaneous distractions, or by merely being a shitty driver. The age of those involved is irrelevant - the only thing that should matter is that no fatalities occurred. Stop trying to pass judgement or make yourselves out to be saints behind the wheel. An accident is an accident, simple as that.
country joe
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
An accident is an accident, simple as that? Her texting was no accident, it was the cause of the accident . There are consequences, a ticket is a ticket, a fine is a fine,and a lawsuit is a lawsuit, Hopefully her family can afford a good lawyer.. It's as simple as that..
Kurt
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Our new generation is already old and another is settling in. We are now at least two generations into seemly being tethered to our Smartphone’s since the blackberry and Palm era. With that said, we have two generations or better texting behind the wheel. Its liken to two or three generations of drug users addicted to texting. I hate regulations especially government regulation as they are coming at us like never before and all seem political by nature as in saving one’s job and hence power. There are times though that some regulations hold a logical stance with merit as in saving lives and injury. Texting has grown into a situation that citizenry cannot seem to regulate on its own and is having daily even hourly horrible circumstances. We need help combating this problem but lets not let government become overly heavy handed as it does with eagerness. Lets have a regulation that is on scale and with propose and poise so we achieve the needed results without making this into a federal crime.
Gary LaFetra
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Were there less problems when we used CB radios? I had one and don't recall any problems.
clamdigger
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
thousands of truckers still use them today, I for one don't see a difference between the two either. people need to learn that the driving part of driving is more important than the talking while driving. if you are talking and driving you need to learn that there are times when you have to say "hold on a second" to whomever is on the other end.
as for texting, what is considered "texting" while driving? is reading a text the act of texting? to me the typing of a text is the texting, reading a text is no different then reading a map, looking at a road sign, looking at the GPS unit, reading a traffic notice on the PKWY, NJTP or any other highway that may flash traffic updates or those silver alerts. if you are stopped at a red light and type a text, is that considered texting and driving?
Revolution
12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
It seems a lot of her friends are defending her on Facebook.
Really?
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Just an FYI for those who have to know where the 19 yr old was coming from...HS lets out at 1:30. Why does it matter where she was going?
Really?
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Donnie, I agree, an accident is an accident, but this one was most likely preventable. She was "drifting" probably looking down..(at her phone no doubt). THankfully, no fatalities is right. People, we've all done it at least once, and luckily, we were lucky. We need to stop texting while driving.
Bob McKnob
11:32 am on Sunday, February 17, 2013
2003: Hit from behind by an idiot on his cell phone. $1900 in damage.
2006: Hit from behind by a drunk on Rt-9 in his business vehicle. $1000 in damage
2009: Wife hit from behind by a dummy on his cell phone in a work van. Rt-88 by the GSP south ramp. $5400 in damage.
And I still see people on their phones texting and driving.. It seems they drive worse than the drunks.
ariah moyer
11:31 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
If the vehicles that the girl hit had not been an acura mdx and a cadillac the victims would have died. Signed- one of the victoms
larry bird
5:22 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I am personally more worried about the 40 year olds out there texting and driving. Alot more of them do it than you may think. They are more dangerous because they are horrible at using their cell phones. slow pokes