Route 70 Crash In Manchester Kills Gloucester Co. Woman: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A 22-year-old Gloucester County woman died early Saturday when her Jeep Wrangler crashed along Route 70, Manchester Township police said.

Margaret Palilonis, 22, of Woolwich Township, was ejected from the Jeep Wrangler and suffered fatal injuries after the crash, which was reported about 2:10 a.m., Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

She was driving west on Route 70 when the Jeep went onto the shoulder of the road and into the grass, Malland said. The investigation showed Palilonis then steered back onto the road, but the Jeep rolled over multiple times, crossing both lanes before coming to rest in the woods near the eastbound lane, he said. She was thrown from the Jeep and died at the scene, he said.

The crash is under investigation but preliminary information has determined driver fatigue was a contributing factor, Malland said. Palilonis also was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, he said.

Route 70 was closed in both directions for several hours during the investigation and roadway cleanup.

Assisting at the scene were firefighters from the Whiting Volunteer and the Joint Base Fire Departments, Manchester Township EMTs and paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Also assisting were detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit (CSI) and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Patrolman Michael Anderson is investigating.

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