Man Who Died in Ocean County Crash Had Recent Heart Procedure

Police have identified the 39-year-old man who died in a single-vehicle crash on Wednesday morning in Lanoka Harbor.

The crash happened at about 7:52 am Wednesday at the intersection of Lake Barnegat Drive North and Haines Street when a vehicle drove through a fence and struck a tree, according to Lacey Township Police.

Eric Olesen, of Forked River, was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been dealing with long-term health concerns and had surgery just two days before the crash.

The police investigation found that Olesen was driving east on Haines Street before turning onto Lake Barnegat Drive North. The vehicle then left the roadway, crashed through a fence at a nearby residence, entered the backyard, and then collided with a tree.

Olesen Had Heart Surgery Two Days Before Crash

Eric Olesen posted twice on Facebook on Monday, giving updates on a surgical procedure he had that day.

According to the post, Eric had surgery to extract and replace wires attached to his heart pacemaker.

Getting Lead extraction and pacemaker extraction leads are 16 years old and pacemaker 9 years old with 20 percent battery life left.. I feel great and thankful today then be all new with pacemaker that's compatible for MRI machines.. This will be my third pacemaker since September 28,2010 when I was 23 years old at that time.

Later on Monday night, Oleseon posted again, saying the surgery had taken much of the day and left him feeling sore.

Surgery it well very well more intense than I thought it be had 4 surgical surgeons help my doctor dr.C eps surgeon and many nurses in the OR room.. 2.5 hour's - 3 hours on table... I am sore sore on my Right side of chest and rib cage that's common due intensity of the surgery just went thru.. I be taking it easy few days resting and slowly moving around and carefully because I don't want pull my leads out.

No one has mentioned any connection between the surgery and the accident, less than 48 hours later, but it seems like something that the police would make part of their investigation.

One of Eric Olesen's Facebook posts on Monday is now serving as a sad farewell to friends and fellow members of the Forked River Moose Lodge, where he belonged.

Thank you to all friends and Moose troops for being there for me and making memories enjoying the hobbies we like to do/ events and shoot pool/shuffle board.. I be ready for Cornhole can't wait for Moose pit be open again soon..