Police investigate truck accident

BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — The city police department is investigating a car accident in which a truck was found overturned inside Seven Presidents Park on Ocean Boulevard.

On Nov. 4 at approximately 7 a.m., the Long Branch Police, Fire and First Aid departments responded to Seven Presidents Park and found that a 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck had crashed through the park’s main gate split rail fence, according to Detective Lt. Bruce Johantgen.

Police Officer John Evangelho found the driver of the vehicle, Walter Lavden, 47, Howell, partially out of the upside-down car and assisted him out of the truck and into an ambulance.

Lavden was transported to Monmouth Medical Center and was released the next day, according to reports.

Lavden told officers that he was traveling east on Joline Avenue and as he was approaching Long Branch Avenue he attempted to slow his vehicle, but his truck did not respond and suddenly sped up, according to reports.

Lavden attempted to bring his vehicle under control while avoiding vehicles in front of him, according to reports.

Lavden’s vehicle went though the red light at Ocean Boulevard and through the stop sign at Ocean Avenue before crashing through the gate at the park.

The vehicle veered right and flipped forward with the rear of the truck striking the top of a building used as a comfort station at the park, according to reports.

According to Johantgen, no summonses have been issued at this time.