Accident, Fire Highlight Busy Wednesday in Howell

The Howell Police Department announced two events from Wednesday that required people to seek medical attention including a car accident and a fire.

At 10:43 in the morning 69-year-old Louis Bennet was driving west on Asbury Ave. when he stopped at the intersection with Five Points Road. After entering the intersection, Bennet was struck by a car driven by 48-year-old Pio Giron of Long Branch. 

Witness reports say that Giron ran a stop sign before colliding with with Bennet. As a result of the crash, Bennet's car hit a utility pole and he was trapped in the vehicle according to the police department. After being removed from the car by the Adelphia Fire Company, Bennet was taken to Brick Hospital by the Howell First Aid Squad. 

For his part, Giron was issued a summons for failing to stop a the stop sign according to the department. 

Later on Wednesday, at 8:43 p.m. a fire was reported at the Northeast Pallet Recycling center on Yellowbrook road in the Farmingdale section of town. Witnesses said a cloud of black smoke could be seen coming from the direction of the facility and further examination found the fire coming from the north side of the building. 

In addition to the building, three semi trailers were also reportedly damaged as well as 100 wooden pallets. Several of the Township's fire companies responded to cover the fire. They included the Adelphia, Squankum and the Freewood Acres houses. One member of the Squankum department reportedly suffered an ankle injury while battling the blaze. 

The fire is currently being investigated by the Howell Fire Bureau