Ocean County, NJ, Cops: Three Vehicles Crash, Two Hit a House, One Driver Flees

A three-vehicle accident in Ocean County late Monday night sent two of them into a house and cops had to locate the driver who allegedly caused the crash.

Officers with the Manchester Township Police Department were called to Route 571 and Lockhart Street around 11 PM Monday for the report of a multi-vehicle accident. At the scene,

...officers observed a 2005 Toyota Tacoma, on the front lawn of 1764 Lockhart Street with extensive front end and rear end damage; a 2010 Honda CR-V into the garage and residence of 1764 Lockhart Street with extensive rear end damage; and located approximately 600 feet from the intersection of County Route 571 and Lockhart Street a 2021 Hyundai Elantra facing southbound on the northbound grass shoulder of County Route 571 (extensive front end damage).

Witnesses told police the driver of the Hyundai, identified as 29-year-old Alexis Connotillo of Manchester, was going south on Route 571 at a high rate of speed and was weaving in and out of traffic, according to a press release. Connotillo attempted to make a lane change but crashed into the back of the Toyota, which was being driven by 70-year-old Dominic Frizino of Manchester, which sent it into a yard where it struck the Honda, which was parked in the driveway. The Honda wound up hitting the house while the Toyota hit a shed. The Hyundai eventually stopped further down Route 571.

Cops say Connotillo fled the scene on foot prior to police arriving. Frizino was uninjured in the crash. The house that was hit was deemed to be safe by building inspectors.

An investigation into the crash continues and cops say contributing factors of the accident are unsafe speed, improper lane change, and following too closely.