Fatal Iron Ore Road accident
remains under investigation

MANALAPAN — The woman who was driving a vehicle involved in an accident that resulted in the death of her husband and daughter was released from the hospital late last week.

Melissa Vogel, 27, of Englishtown, was discharged from Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, a week after the June 14 accident that occurred on Iron Ore Road.

Vogel’s son, Gregory, 6, remained in critical condition as of Monday morning with injuries sustained in the accident.

According to Manalapan police, at 6:04 p.m. June 14 officers responded to a motor vehicle accident on Iron Ore Road (county Route 527A) just south of High Bridge Road. Police said a 1996 Ford F150 pick-up truck heading north collided with a 1994 Chevrolet Geo Tracker that was heading south.

The Ford was being driven by Joseph Fernandes, 52, of Manalapan. Vogel was driving the Chevrolet. The two-lane road was wet at the time of the accident and a misty rain was falling, according to police.

Vogel was initially transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, and later transferred to Jersey Shore Medical Center where she remained for a week.

Vogel’s husband, Eric, 30, was in the front passenger seat of the Chevrolet at the time of the accident. He was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center and died at 9:45 p.m. June 14 from injuries sustained in the accident.

The Vogels’ daughter, Laurana, 8, was sitting in the rear seat of the Chevrolet behind the driver.

Following the accident, she was taken to CentraState Medical Center and later transferred to Jersey Shore Medical Center. Laurana died at 4:50 a.m. June 15 from injuries she sustained in the accident.

Fernandes was taken to CentraState Medical Center where he was treated and released.

"Although the circumstances surrounding the cause of the accident are still under investigation, preliminary reports indicate that the Vogels’ Geo Tracker left its lane of travel, swerved across the opposite lane of travel and was struck broadside on the passenger side by Mr. Fernandes’ pick-up truck," said Manalapan Police Capt. Stuart Brown.

The cause of the accident is being investigated by patrolmen Matthew Trembow, Scott McBean and Brian Carhart. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team are also investigating the accident.

In addition to Manalapan police, other agencies which assisted at the scene of the accident included MONOC paramedics based at CentraState Medical Center; the Millstone Township First Aid Squad; the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad; the Manalapan Fire Com-pany, Millhurst; and the Englishtown Fire Department.