Toniann Antonelli

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Oct 9, 2025, 5:52 AM

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Updated

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A 16-year-old has died following a motor vehicle crash around 6 p.m. Wednesday in Jackson Township, police have confirmed.

According to Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz, officers responded to East Veterans Highway near Westlake Court Wednesday after reports of a head-on crash with a vehicle on fire. Kunz said callers informed police that witnesses were attempting to remove the occupant from the car.

"As responders were en route, updated information was received that CPR was being administered to a victim of the crash," the chief said in a statement.

When first responders arrived, they found that two vehicles were involved in the crash and one car was still engulfed in flames.

"Police and fire personnel continued resuscitation efforts on the unconscious victim, as the fire department extinguished the fire," Kunz said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a release that a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by an 18-year-old girl was traveling eastbound on East Veterans Highway, with a passenger in the front seat. At one point, the truck crossed over into the westbound lanes and struck a 2009 Nissan Altima.

"The truck collided with a passenger car, resulting in that vehicle catching fire, as well as catastrophic injuries to a 16-year-old occupant of the car, requiring the administration of CPR and ultimately the death of that juvenile following on-scene treatment and transfer by Jackson EMS to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood," Kunz said.

The name of the teen has not been released. There is no word yet on what caused the crash or if any charges will be filed.

The driver of the pickup truck and the passenger also transported to the hospital. They were treated for minor injuries, the prosecutor said. Their names also have not been released.

The prosecutor's office and Jackson Township police are are continuing to investigate the crash and are asking anyone with information to contact Jackson Police Officer Tristan Bennett at 732-928-1111 or email him at tbennett@jacksontwpnj.net.