Driver in Critical Condition After Striking Pole

A Washington Township woman is in critical condition Friday after she lost control of her vehicle and struck a pole while driving on Route 22 West Thursday afternoon, according to a release from Bridgewater Township Police.

The accident occurred at 4:57 p.m. on Route 22 West near the Autosport Honda, the release said.

Marta Dileo, 48, was the only person in the vehicle, and, while driving on Route 22, she lost control of the Jeep Cherokee and struck a utility pole on the northern shoulder.

North Branch Fire Chief David Hickson said that when Green Knoll Fire Chief James Vitale arrived on the scene, he found the vehicle very damaged and wrapped around the pole on the driver's side.

"The single occupant was heavily entrapped and injured," Hickson said. "The vehicle was so heavily damaged that Green Knoll Fire had to pull the vehicle away from the pole with a truck-mounted winch to complete the extrication."

According to the police release, Dileo was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital by the Green Knoll Rescue Squad and Somerset Medical Center Paramedics. Hickson said the medevac helicopter was not flying because of the weather conditions.

The release said she is still in critical condition.

Hickson said a firefighter was also transported to the hospital with chest pains, but was doing better by the evening.

The right lane of Route 22 West was closed for about three hours during the investigation of the crash.

The Bridgewater Township Traffic Safety Bureau is still investigating the crash. Any witnesses are asked to contact Bridgewater Township Police Officer Doug Thorsen at 907-722-4111, ext. 4154.