Villas Man Seriously Injured in Middle Township Crash

A man from Villas was seriously injured in a crash in Middle Township Thursday evening.

According to Middle Township Police, officers were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on Route 9 in the area of milepost 10 around 5:00 Thursday evening.

An investigation revealed a landscape truck being driven by 25-year-old Rene Perez Cruz of Rio Grande was traveling south when it crossed into the northbound lane to enter the parking lot of Island Pools. A second vehicle, a car being driven by 40-year-old Don Riggins, Jr., of Villas, was traveling north when it collided with the rear passenger side of the truck.

The collision caused severe damage to Riggins’ car which caused him to be trapped inside. Riggins sustained multiple serious injuries and was transported to Atlantic Care Medical Center-City for treatment.

Perez-Cruz was issued summonses for careless driving, unlicensed driver, and failure to maintain a lane.

Route 9 was closed for approximately three hours for the investigation and for clean-up of the crash scene.

The crash is currently under investigation by the Middle Township Crash Investigation Unit, Major Crimes Unit and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. Anyone with information related to the crash is requested to contact the Middle Township Police Department at (609)465-8700.