Drunk driving appears to be the cause of an accident which left a motorcyclist injured, police say.

At approximately 03:25 am this morning, members of the Manchester Township Police responded to the area of Wranglebrook Road and Canton Drive, in the Whiting section of the Township, for the report of a motorcyclist down with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located a damaged Harley Davidson motorcycle lying on its side in the intersection and a male occupant laying a few feet away with injuries.

The investigation revealed that the operator of the motorcycle was traveling east on Wranglebrook Road attempting to negotiate a turn. While negotiating the turn, the frame of the motorcycle made contact with the pavement causing the motorcyclist to lose control. The motorcycle and the operator slid approximately eight feet until finally coming to rest in the roadway.

The driver of the Harley Davidson, 54-year-old Charles Hicks of Lacey, was not wearing a DOT helmet at the time of the crash. Mr. Hicks was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Additional investigation led Mr. Hicks ultimately being charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated.  

Assisting at the scene were Emergency Medical Technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services and Priced Rite Towing. The investigation into this crash is still ongoing; however, suspected driving while intoxicated appears to be the primary contributing factor. The crash is being investigated by Ptl. Brendan Brush of the department’s Traffic Safety Unit.

With the warm weather and increased traffic, the Manchester Township Police Department would like to remind all motorists to watch out for motorcycles and for all motorcyclists to always wear DOT approved helmets and equipment when riding.