Police said an 18-year-old was speeding when he lost control of his SUV, crashing into a tree and sending his six teenage passengers to the hospital.

Toms River Police Chief Mastronardy said Christopher Ryan, 18, of Toms River, was driving a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder "at excessive speeds" south on Congress Street at 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

"The driver lost control, (the vehicle) slide sideways across Michigan Ave. after striking a utility box then a tree at 784 Congress," said Mastronardy. He said Ryan was arrested and charged with reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Including Ryan, the SUV had seven occupants, with three female and three male passengers from 14 to 17 years old, said the police chief.

Mastronardy said two of the females told Ryan to stop and let them out. The crash happened shortly thereafter. Congress Street is off of Route 571 near Raider Way.

Ryan and a 15-year-old male passenger were transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital Trauma Center for their injuries, while the four other occupants were transported to Community Medical Center for what Mastronardy said were less severe injuries.

"Two females reported to officers they asked to be let out of the vehicle prior to the accident, and that all of them were coming from a party where drinking was taking place," Mastronardy said in a statement. 

Toms River Police Officer Adam Koeppen is investigating.

Related Topics: Congress Street, Crash, SUV, Teenagers, and east dover

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