88-year-old Driver Crashes into 2 Stores in Ocean County, NJ

An 88-year-old woman was injured Thursday afternoon when her SUV crashed into two storefronts in Ocean County.

The accident happened around 1:30 at the Whiting Commons shopping center next to Stop & Shop at 400 Lacey Road in Whiting, Manchester Township.

Manchester Township police officers arrived to find a heavily damaged black 2020 Hyundai Tucson in front of an H&R Block and Wine World store.

According to officials,

The investigation revealed that the Hyundai was traveling through an aisle in the parking lot of 400 Lacey Road where it began to accelerate. The Hyundai then drove over the curb, onto the sidewalk area in front of the building and subsequently impacted the building. The impact caused extensive damage to the store front of both the H&R Block and Wine World.

The driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai, 88-year-old Mary McGowan of Whiting, suffered multiple injuries, including injuries to her neck, back, chest, and face.

She was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say McGowan was wearing her seatbelt and multiple airbags deployed.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing but at this point, driver error appears to be the primary contributing factor.