BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Newark man died after a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver on Route 88 West on Dec. 29.
Joao R. Luiz, 51, of Newark, was pronounced dead at Ocean Medical Center following the crash.
The Brick Township Police Department responded to Route 88 West near Ocean Medical Center at 4:56 p.m. for a report of a two-vehicle crash.
Police said Cathe J. Schaefer, 67, of Brick Township, was driving a 2021 Kia Sportage eastbound in the westbound lane after exiting Ocean Medical Center at 425 Jack Martin Boulevard and making a left turn onto Route 88.
The Kia collided head-on with a 2005 Toyota Corolla driven by Luiz, who was traveling westbound on Route 88 past Edge Street.
Both vehicles rotated from the impact, with the Kia coming to rest along the eastbound curb line and the Toyota stopping in the westbound shoulder.
The Laurelton Fire Department extricated one of the victims from their vehicle.
Brick EMS/Rescue transported both drivers to Ocean Medical Center.
Schaefer sustained serious injuries.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation unit and Hatzolah EMS assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by the Brick Township Police Department Traffic Safety Unit.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information is asked to contact Officer Daniel Fogarty at (732) 262-1141.
