19-Year-Old Killed In Crash Near Manchester Border

JACKSON, NJ — A young man was killed and a second was seriously injured when a car hit several trees near the Jackson-Manchester border on Friday night, Jackson police said Saturday.

Austen Hunter, 19, of Jackson, died of injuries he suffered in the crash that happened about 10:30 p.m. on South Hope Chapel Road, Jackson Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said.

His passenger, Hasson Renouf, 23, of Jackson, was hospitalized at Jersey Shore Regional Medical Center, Neptune, and was stable, Laskiewicz said.

The crash initally was reported to be in Manchester, but happened near a bridge not far from the Pine Barrens Golf Course. The preliminary investigation found Hunter had been driving a 1997 Chrysler Sebring north on South Hope Chapel Road when the car failed to negotiate a curve and went off the road, hitting several trees before coming to rest. Both Hunter and Renouf had to be extricated and were taken to Jersey Shore.

Wet road conditions and speed appeared to have contributed to the crash, Laskiewicz said.

Jackson Police Officer Kevin Chesney is investigating, along with Officers Stephen Cilento, Joseph Pante and Sgt. Richard Bosley. In addition to Jackson and Manchester police, Jackson First Aid, Berkeley First Aid, Whitesville Fire Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department responded to the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Chesney at 732-928-1111.