Crime & Safety

Four Injured When Ocean Ride Bus And Car Collide

Accident happened on Edgebrook Drive South near Woodbury Court; driver to be issued summonses

Four people were injured today in a two-vehicle collision involving a county Ocean Ride bus, police said.

Sgt. Ryan Roth said Ralph Rennard, 86, Mohnton, PA, was traveling on Woodbury Court near the stop sign with Edgebrook Drive at 9:36 a.m. when he accidently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.

Rennard's silver Mercury Grand Marquis went through the stop sign, swerved into the wrong lane on Edgebrook Drive, then collided "nearly head-on" with the Ocean Ride bus, Roth said.

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All three passengers in the car had "significant" injuries, he said.

Injured were Muriel Kerr, Barryville, NY; Kristie Richards, Richmond, Virginia and Rennard. Keer and Richards had arm and leg lacerations and severe back and neck pain. Rennard had head and facial injuries, Roth said.

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Ronald Bitten, the Ocean Ride driver, had seven passengers in the bus at the time of the accident. Bus passenger Anne Ganbardella had head injuries.

All four injured people were treated at the scene by local first aid squad members, the Manitou Park Fire Department, the Pinewald Pioneer Fire Department, MONOC paramedics and taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, Roth said.

"Ralph Rennard will be receiving summonses at a later date for careless driving," said Roth.


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