Authorities are investigating a crash near the Lakewood-Jackson border which killed two yesterday, Jackson Police say. At approximately 5:17 pm yesterday, Jackson Police Officers responded to South Hope Chapel Road, approximately one mile south of Whitesville Road on the report of a serious accident with the occupants entrapped.  

Upon the officer’s arrival, they found a two car crash involving a 2001 Mazda MPV minivan and a 1987
Mercedes Benz 190. The driver of the Mazda MPV minivan was identified as Thomas Migliaccio, 47, of  Toms River. He sustained minor injuries from the crash and was transported to Kimball Medical Center by the Jackson First Aid Squad.

The operator of the Mercedes Benz was identified as Jaime Nicholson, age 17 of Jackson.  Ms. Nicholson was transported by Quality Medical Transport and MONOC Paramedics to Jersey Shore Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The female passenger of the Mercedes Benz was identified as Francesca Nicholson, age 15 of Jackson. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ocean County Medical Examiner. Both occupants of the Mercedes were extricated by the Whitesville Fire Company, assisted by the Cassville Fire Company.

Initial investigation reveals that the operator of the Mercedes Benz was traveling in a northerly direction on South Hope Chapel Road, police say. It appears that she lost control of the vehicle, crossing the center line of the roadway, impacting the Mazda. The Mazda was traveling southbound.

“At this time, wet roads and excessive speed for the roadway conditions are being investigated as contributing circumstances to the crash”, Jackson Police tell TLS. 

The crash remains under investigation by Police Officer Patrick Mackin of the Jackson Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau, assisted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit.

Anyone with any information regarding the crash is asked to contact P.O. Patrick Mackin at 732-928-1111 x 2406. TLS.