Woman fleeing police causes multi-vehicle crash, authorities say

    Michele Morano

    Michele Morano

    Authorities say a police pursuit of a Toms River woman driving on a revoked license ended when she caused a multi-vehicle accident in the township that left her and another driver injured.

    Michele Morano, 28, was southbound on Brookside Drive when an officer tried to stop her for driving without a valid driver’s license and equipment violations yesterday afternoon, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said. 

    She sped up in a bid to ”get away” from the officer, Stocco said, adding that Morano said she couldn’t stop in time as she neared the Route 37 intersection and crashed into a pickup truck.

    The pickup struck a Toms River Regional school bus that did not have any children aboard.

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    The bus driver, identified as Joanne Sandberg of Berkeley Township, was treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River for an undisclosed minor injury, according to the spokesman.  

    Morano remains hospitalized at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune in stable condition. But police did not disclose further details of her injuries. 

    Morano, who was charged with eluding a police officer, assault by auto, and motor vehicle offenses, will have to post $25,000 bail upon her release from the hospital or face transfer to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, Stocco said. 

    It wasn’t known today if she has retained an attorney.

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    The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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