Manchester Motorcyclist 'Critical' After Route 530 Crash

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester man was in critical condition after he was thrown from his motorcycle during a crash on Route 530 on Tuesday afternoon, Manchester police said Wednesday.

Terrence Lee, 64, of Whiting, was wearing a helmet but suffered substantial injuries in the crash that happened about 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, Manchester Lt. Vincent Manco said. Lee was alert and conscious when he was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, for treatment, he said.

Manco said the investigation found Lee was driving a 1998 Honda Valkyrie motorcycle east on Route 530 when a white 2015 Nissan Sentra driven by Joseph Orlando, 89, of Whiting, tried to pull onto Route 530 from Pine Ridge Boulevard. Orlando hit Lee's motorcycle, which spun 180 degrees, throwing Lee from the motorcycle. He wound up 15 feet away, in the westbound left-turn only lane near Fox Street, Manco said.

Orlando left the scene and drove home, then called 911 as soon as he got home, Manco said. Orlando was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment and evaluation for respiratory distress resulting from the crash, Manco said. The Nissan had heavy front-end damage, he said.

Route 530 was closed in both directions while officers investigated. The initial investigation indicates driver error appears to be the primary factor, Manco said. Patrolman Michael O'Hara of the Traffic Safety division is continuing to investigate.

Manchester Township EMTs and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital assisted.

The Manchester Township Police Department would like to remind all road users that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and to look twice before entering a road or intersection.

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