UPDATE: Car Swerving Prior to Route 70 Crash

A section of Route 70 in Lakehurst was closed for nearly 90 minutes Tuesday afternoon after a car struck a utility pole, leaving an electrical wire down and causing possible injuries.

According to Lakehurst Police Sgt. Ron Heinzman, witnesses indicated that a 2007 Ford Freestyle driven by Ethelena Sumpter, 71, of Manchester, was driving in and out of traffic lanes just prior to striking a 2010 Toyota Camery driven by Lina Stillwell, 78, of Toms River, while traveling westbound on the state roadway. The collision then sent Stillwell's vehicle into a utility pole in front of the Lakehurst Diner. 

The pole snapped, downing an electrical wire across all lanes of Route 70 just west of the Route 70-37 circle and forcing the road's closure in both directions.

Both drivers were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with complaints of pain, Heinzman said. 

As of about 5 p.m. Tuesday, the crash scene was cleared and traffic was again moving in both directions after a crew from JCP&L removed the fallen wire.

Eastbound and westbound traffic was diverted through downtown Lakehurst following the crash.

Heinzman said that the crash is under investigation by Officer Gregory Lauretta. Chief of Police Eric Higgins said an officer was sent to interview the drivers at the hospital. 

Sgt. Brian Baranyay and Higgins assisted Lauretta at the scene. The Lakehurst Fire Department, Navy Lakehurst Fire, Department of Defense Police also responded to the scene to assist with traffic control.