A serious head-on crash on Route 70 in Manchester Township Friday night left multiple people injured and prompted a large emergency response.

According to authorities, the crash happened around 7:50 p.m. near mile marker 34 when the driver of a 2025 Ford Ranger attempted to pass another vehicle by entering the westbound lane, striking a 2022 Hyundai Elantra head-on.

The Elantra was occupied by a driver and two passengers. All occupants from both vehicles were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Authorities said all victims are currently listed in stable condition.

Firefighters from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company arrived to find one victim trapped inside a vehicle following the collision. Crews worked to safely extricate the patient before transferring care to EMS personnel on scene.

Due to the severity of the crash, medevac helicopters were requested and a landing zone was established at Bowker Field to assist with rapid transport operations.

Authorities said responding officers detected an odor of alcohol coming from the driver of the Ford Ranger and also observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. A court-authorized blood draw was later conducted at the hospital as part of the investigation.

The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Manchester Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.