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Crash Sends 3 to Hospital, Call for Medivac
A collision at the intersection of Route 537 and Gravel Hill Road sent three individuals to CentraState Medical Center at 3:20 PM this afternoon, after an initial call for Medivac.
One driver and one passenger were pulled from the badly-damaged black sedan after the fire department had to pry the side of the car open. Both individuals were transported to CentraState, as well as the van's driver.
Emergency personnel originally called for a Medivac response, but later canceled it after the victims were released from the sedan.
The sedan was crossing 537 from Gravel Hill Road when it collided with a van traveling westward on 537. The van had the right of way, according to Officer Patrick Fallon, who responded to the call.
The accident had traffic backed up to Freehold Raceway Mall westbound, and all eastbound traffic diverted to Easton-Adelphia.
Randi MIller, 
BornAndRaised and 13 others are discussing.
E.M. Klein 8:16 am on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
There needs to be a traffic light at Gravel Hill. There have been so many accidents between Gravel Hill and Thompson Grove on 537. The county is aware of the problem. The towns…both Manalapan and Freehold are aware of the dangerous intersection. They promised the residents a light over five years ago at meetings when new developments in that area were going up. How many accidents have to happen before a light is put up?
Colleen Curry 9:17 am on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
E.M.–
I’m going to add your note to our Fixer Upper map, which will then notify town officials of the problem. Other users can agree with the problem; perhaps if enough users agree, the town will take note.
Thanks for your help.
E.M. Klein 12:26 pm on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
Colleen: Contact me. I have been in touch with the towns and the County engineers on this intersection. I may have some useful information. This light was supposed to be up by now but there was a glitch with the engineering firm that they originally hired going out of business or something like that. My question is how many people have to be injured (or worse) at this intersection and Thomspon Grove until they put a light up?
concernedcitizen 6:44 pm on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
I have lived off gravel hill road since late 2002 and there have been several accidents at that intersection including at least one death since then. This is the third 17y.o who has been in an accident at said intersection(that i know of) and believe it or not the second in the space of three weeks.. Do we have to have more deaths here before something is done?.. I now forbid my daughter from crossing that intersection when coming home from school, Iron bridge road seems like a safer alternative until the much needed traffic light is installed. We are all highly taxed in NJ why can’t certain needs be met in order to protect our citizens?
justmy2cents 11:05 pm on September 20, 2009 Permalink |
colleen: the van was actualy traveling eastbound on 537, toward centra state and had 2 very young passengers who also went to hospital.
also, what can we, the citizens in the surrounding area do, to light a fire under the towns’ keisters and get these lights installed as promised? petitions? any ideas?
i agree with concernedcitizen that the high taxes we pay ought to buy us a little more security by way of a traffic light on a very dangerous intersection. how many more need to be injured or die??
Colleen Curry 12:56 pm on September 21, 2009 Permalink |
Thanks for the corrections, folks. We’ll go ahead and look into the records of accidents, and try and get some info as to when the light will be installed/why it hasn’t been installed yet.
In the meantime, we’ll help any efforts to organize.
mercman 10:11 pm on October 19, 2009 Permalink |
Stop with the lights already! People need to have retesting every five years, AAA safe driving course every 5 years and need to be more responsible! What do you want a light at every single intersection?
09cbp6mt 10:52 pm on September 19, 2009 Permalink |
Good thing it was a HONDA! That was a major impact. Get well soon to all involved.
SSzelest 8:45 am on September 20, 2009 Permalink |
As mother of the passenger I am counting my blessings after seeing this car. I have pleaded with my family not to use that intersection b/c of the many problems at Gravel Hill. I am begging the kids that come out of the high school and travel that route to please find an alternate! Many thanks to all those at the scene of the accident who were so helpful and caring.
manalapancitizen 10:48 pm on September 20, 2009 Permalink |
It should actually say 5 sent to hospital, as the minivan had two small children who were also taken to Centra State Medical Center along with the driver.
Just another case of a careless, reckless, stupid teenager trying to make it across a 50 mph road without any regard for safety or the rules of the road. They think they’re invincible. Maybe this will be a wake-up call… to him and the towns of Manalapan and Freehold
anon 10:39 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink |
ManalapanCitizen :
You’re comments were unnecessary and misinformed. Just wait until it is someone that you care about, as it will inevitably be. Karma is rough. You’re ignorance is astonishing.
concernedNewYorker 2:39 pm on September 21, 2009 Permalink |
Two 17 y.o. accidents on the same intersection within the 2 weeks?
That’s nuts! Though I’m not sure whom to blame:
The Town(s) for lack of proper traffic signals and enforcement.
-or-
The State of NJ for careless drivers education — after all, a 17 y.o. driver in NJ likely has very limited road experience…
steitelbaum 10:26 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink |
To say that I am the luckiest mother in the world would be an understatement. I am the mother of the young lady who was driving the car that afternoon. I have talked to her about that intersection and asked her to please avoid it, as it has been the scene of many accidents. Unfortunately, the kids who drive from Manalapan to Freehold Township H.S. see it as a shorter route. to and from school. My daughter explained to me that she had sat at the stop sign for several minutes before seeing what she thought was a clear path across 537. Apparently the way was not clear, but because of how the intersection is situated the visibility is poor. The intersection sits at the top of a hill with 537 having a bowl like effect shortly before Gravel Hill Rd. If you do not see the oncoming cars before they enter the low point on 537 then the possibility of an accident is high.
As I said, I am a very lucky mom, and I am so grateful that all the other people involved in the accident are ok. It could have been a very different scenario. How many more injuries, or deaths must there be at that one particular spot before something is done? If you know you have a potentially dangerous or lethal situation, shouldn’t you do all that can to rectify it? I am asking the Township of Freehold and Manalapan to please fix this problem before you more person gets that dreaded phone call. Yesterday it was my loved one, tomorrow, G-d forbid, it could be yours.
Thank you
p.s. to Manalapan Citizen; My daughter is by no means a reckless, stupid teenager and I take exception to you saying that. If you are a driver than I am sure you have had some sort of mishap or close call when it came to driving. Please do not generalize or name call, it negates anything intelligent you might add as a comment.
LizM 10:41 pm on September 23, 2009 Permalink |
to STeitlebaum:
I am the woman who was involved in the accident, and while I thank God every day that I and my children were not killed, I am far from “ok”.
I heard your daughter may still be in the hospital, and I hope she recovers, as I have been concerned, because after all, she is someone’s child too and you must be terribly worried. Nonetheless, I cannot say I don’t blame her as my life has been significantly compromised (hopefully temporarily) and it has not been easy as I am pregnant, have been very worried about my unborn child and am very limited as to what I can do for the pain.
As for ManalapanCitizen’s comments, I know who wrote that and all I can say is that it was someone very close to me who was and remains angry over the accident. I understand your daughter is still a human being and I do wish her well but in the end she is lucky no one was killed as it WAS reckless to cross the intersection when she did, especially since you WARNED her not to. I hope your daughter learns the same lessons we ALL did when we got into accidents when we were new drivers: that cars are inherently dangerous objects and are a great and terrible responsibility. I have been reminded of this again and all I can say is that if she is never in another accident again because of this then maybe it was worth it. But, as I said, it has not been easy for me or my family, even though it could have been sooo much worse.
Best wishes to you and your daughter. I truly hope she makes a full and fast recovery.
steitelbaum 9:03 am on September 24, 2009 Permalink |
Dear LizM,
I feel your pain, and want you to know that you and your family have never been far from our thoughts and prayers. I wish only good health to you and your children. I didn’t know that there was anyone in the car with you until just a day ago, and am so sorry about the trauma your children must have experienced.
I did discuss that intersection with her because a friend’s daughter was involved in an accident only a week prior. Gravel Hill Rd. has been a topic of conversation amongst my friends for some time as a few of my friends and their children have been involved in accidents there. I understand your anger and the anger of your friends and family. I too am angry, but I am directing it towards the people who knew that this was a dangerous crossroads and did nothing to resolve it.
More than anger though, I am grateful. I thank G-d that all your lives were saved and although we are all experiencing different effects of the accident, we are still able to communicate with each other and our loved ones.
May G-d bless you and your children and heal you quickly and I hope you know that you will continue to be in our prayers.
Sue T.
Bruce 6:51 pm on December 19, 2009 Permalink |
Let’s start with a THANKS to the LORD and to the RESPONDERS that everyone looks like they are going to be OK.
Our State has far to much red tape – I live in Marlboro and that intercestion is and has been one of the most dangerous in western Monmouth County – it is time to get it fixed – NOW!
In the meantime keep talking to your kids – let them know you love them and care about them but stay in their face and pray that they listen!
The good news it sounds like they are going to be OK – MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE PARENTS AND THOSE INVOLVED – Life is far to short!
mercman 10:12 pm on October 19, 2009 Permalink |
All they ahve to do is go to Wemrock road and take the long way to school, as a parent you should teach them not demand service from the town for your job
Randi MIller 9:01 pm on August 9, 2010 Permalink |
No what they have to do is put the light in that they have been promising for years. I doesn’t matter 17 or not there have been many accidents in this intersection. Lets stop blaming and just put the light in.
They put a light by Raintree and there were many less accidents there. Come on Freehold step up to the plate!!
Colleen Curry 11:38 am on September 23, 2009 Permalink |
Folks,
I’ve just posted a short update about the intersection to the home page. I’m still looking for more concrete answers from the Monmouth County Engineering Department, but I have some info for now.
Thanks for your help in directing me to this story.
Lisa 8:25 am on September 24, 2009 Permalink |
LizM and Steitelbaum: I am so sorry about your horrific accident. I am praying all will heal and be well. I’m wishing all of you much love, peace and full recovery. If I could do more than that for you, I would.
BornAndRaised 11:11 am on June 22, 2010 Permalink |
Please no more lights. It seems a little redundant to put yet another light on a lightly travelled road (gravel hill rd.). Maybe some alternate ideas would correct the situation without congesting our town to a snails pace. Like making gravel hill a right turn only onto 537, or slowing down traffic by putting a light at the end of Elton-Adelphia Rd (a much busier rd). Traffic heading to Gravel Hill can and always could simply take advantage of Iron Bridge Rd and/or Elton Adelphia Rd.
Monmouth County Buys Freehold Township Property for Gravel Hill Road Fix | Freehold InJersey 1:48 pm on August 26, 2010 Permalink |
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