Four People OK in Two-Car Accident in Point Beach

Four people were transported to area hospitals, but appear to be OK, after their cars collided on Chicago and Arnold avenues in Point Beach on Monday afternoon, police and fire officials said.

Four 17-year-old girls were transported to area hospitals following the collision that forced the temporary closure of both of the roads after police, fire and first aid crews were called to the scene at 2:48 p.m.

Detective Patrick Petruzziello said that although the girls were all transported to hospitals, it appears they are fine.

The Point Beach Fire Department had to rip the roof off a blue Toyota Rav4, that was lying on its side after being involved in the accident, to extricate two 17-year-old girls inside.

Petruzziello said the accident involved the Toyota traveling south on Chicago Avenue that either did not stop at a stop sign or had stopped and then started up again without seeing another car traveling towards her.

The 17-year-old Point Beach girl driving the Toyota hit a light gray Ford Focus that was traveling east on Arnold Avenue, he said. A 17-year-old girl from Brick was driving the Ford and she had a 17-year-old passenger.

Police did not release names.

However, Joe Wegrzyniak, who was retrieving a few things from the Toyota, including a Garnet Gulls sticker from the rear, said his daughter, Nichole Wegrzyniak, had been driving the Toyota and it appeared she would be fine. He said he did not know the name of her passenger.

No summonses have been issued, but the accident is still under investigation, led by Police Corporal Gerry Quaglia, Petruzziello said.

The girls in the Toyota were transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, to check for trauma since they had to be extricated from their vehicle, Petruzziello said.

The Point Pleasant First Aid and Emergency Squad transported the girls to Jersey Shore.

The two girls in the Ford had been transported by Point Boro First Aid Squad to Meridian's Urgent Care Center on Route 88 in Point Borough, Petruzziello said.

The Point Pleasant Boro First Aid Squad also assisted at the scene.

Point Beach Fire Chief Joseph Michigan said about 30 to 35 firefighters had worked the scene, including removing the car roof, extricating the girls and helping a tow truck crew right the vehicle. He said they removed the roof to help minimize injury.

He said the Point Pleasant First Aid and Emergency Squad, which serves Point Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking, worked with the fire department to safely extricate the two girls, move them onto stretchers and into the squad's waiting ambulance.

Both cars were towed from the scene.