VENTNOR – Police investigated two motor vehicle accidents this week that resulted in numerous injuries, including to a bicyclist and a NJ Transit bus driver.
On May 9 at 1:45 p.m., Ventnor City Police responded to the intersection of Atlantic and Cambridge avenues for the report of bicyclist hit by a moving vehicle.
According to a release from Capt. Joe Fussner, a 2007 Jeep Wrangler operated by Joseph Pasquale, 70, of Ventnor City was southbound on Cambridge Avenue when the vehicle struck a bicyclist who was riding westbound on Atlantic Avenue.
The bicyclist, Mary Alice McCloskey, 65, of Atlantic City was thrown from her bicycle and sustained moderate injuries. Ventnor City Fire Department ambulance personnel transported her to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City for medical treatment. Pasquale was not injured.
Atlantic Avenue was closed for approximately 30 minutes. Ventnor City Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Investigating officer, Ptl. Mario Lima determined that McCloskey failed to observe the red traffic signal controlling the intersection. She was issued a summons for failing to observe a traffic control device.
Then, on Monday, May 13 at 10:50 a.m., police were called to the 5100-block of Wellington Avenue for the report of an accident involving a NJ Transit bus and a motor vehicle.
According to a release, the NJ Transit bus, which was carrying three passengers and being operated by Arnaldo Figueroa, 51, of Egg Harbor Township, was exiting the Ventnor Shopping Plaza at the traffic signal and making a left-hand turn to continue traveling westbound on Wellington Avenue. A 2014 Volkswagen being operated by David R. Cullen, 20, of Margate was traveling eastbound on Wellington Avenue when he entered the intersection and collided with the front portion bus.
Figueroa and three bus passengers – Bonnie D. Hartwell, 52, of Ventnor, Carlos A. Soto, 67, also of Ventnor, and Jovita Vorgas-Moknez, 36, of Atlantic City – were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City with non-life-threatening injuries. Cullen was also transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
The bus sustained moderate damage and the Volkswagen sustained significant damage. Both vehicles were disabled and towed from the scene.
The entire roadway was closed for approximately 90 minutes. Fire personnel from Ventnor, Margate and Longport, along with NJ Transit and Providence Tow Company assisted at the scene.
The investigation conducted by Ptl. Raymond Aiuto determined that Cullen failed to observe the red traffic signal and he was issued a summons.
