Crash sends two people to hospital
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - A motor vehicle accident on the morning of Jan. 9 sent two drivers to the hospital and sent animal control officers in search of a missing collie.

The accident occurred at 9:35 a.m. at the intersection of West Commodore Boulevard and Diamond Road.

Police said a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado being operated by David Trojan, 68, of Freehold Township, was heading east on West Commodore Boulevard when it was struck by a westbound vehicle, a black 2001 Volkswagen Jetta being driven by Kelly McGarry, 21, of Brick Township.

Police Officer Trevor Crowley said in a report that the vehicle being driven by McGarry left its lane for unknown reasons and collided with the vehicle being driven by Trojan.

Police said McGarry was wearing a seat belt and Trojan was not wearing a seat belt. Both drivers sustained injuries. Trojan had to be extricated from his vehicle by members of the Jackson Mills Fire Company.

Jackson Mills Chief Mike Lubertazzi said once responders got to the scene it took less than five minutes to get Trojan out of his vehicle.

"That corner has been keeping us busy lately," he said. "In the past month I would say a little girl got killed there, down the road about 100 yards. There were a lot of calls to that spot."

The chief praised his men for their response to the Jan. 9 accident.

"The guys did an excellent job," he said. "They all should be commended."

Both drivers were treated at the scene and then transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.

Hospital spokesman John Shaeffer reported Trojan's condition as critical and McGarry's condition as good in the hours after the accident.

McGarry was discharged on Jan. 12. Trojan was still reported to be in critical condition on Jan. 15.

Animal control officer Joseph Sbano said a collie named Cassidy was in the truck with Trojan and ran from the scene of the accident. The dog was found unharmed in the nearby woods on the morning of Jan. 10.

The accident is under investigation by Crowley and Police Officer Christopher Kelly. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the Jackson Police Traffic Safety Unit at (732) 928-1111.