UPDATE: Driver Critical Following Wednesday Crash

UPDATE: THURSDAY 4:20p.m.- Howell resident Brooke Papiomitis was listed in critical condition following a crash on Route 33 Wednesday Morning.

Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd said 19-year-old Papiomitis was reportedly in a coma and suffering from "serious head injuries" as of Thursday afternoon.

Original Story:

A portion of Route 33 was closed for several hours on Wednesday morning after an accident sent a 19-year-old Howell resident to the hospital.

Detective Sgt. Eileen Dodd reported that at around 2:30 this morning Brooke Papiomitis was driving a 2001 Ford Escort on Route 33 near Holy Boulevard when for a "unknown reason," she crossed into the westbound lanes. At that time she hit a 2008 Ford box truck driven by 27-year-old Jonathan Knorr of Brick.

Dodd said Papiomitis continued driving before leaving the roadway and hitting the fence of Naval Weapons Station Earle. When first responders arrived at the scene Dodd said Papiomitis was found unconscious and "suffering from severe trauma." She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by the Farmingdale First Aid Squad. As of 10 a.m. she was listed in critical condition.

Knorr was not hurt as a result of the crash.

The crash is being investigated by Sgt. Joseph Markulic and Ptl. Riaz Motani. Also responding were the Adelphia Fire Department, MONOC medics, the Monmouth County SCART, the State Highway Diversion Team and the NWS Earle Police Department.

Route 33 is expected to reopen around 11 a.m.