Howell Authorities Respond to Route 9 Accident, Gas Station Blaze

A two car-accident and related gas station fire at the intersection of Route 9 and Aldrich Road snarled traffic in the area early this afternoon, according to the Howell Police Department.

Howell Police, Southard Fire Department and Howell Police EMS all responded to the scene of a gas pump in flames at the Gulf Station at around 1 p.m. today, which emergency communications indicated was the result of a motor vehicle collision.

“At 12:57 p.m., Tracy Stanton, 33, of Tinton Falls, operating a 2012 Chevrolet Impala, was in the Aldrich Plaza when she suffered an apparent seizure. According to witnesses, Stanton was in the Walgreen’s parking lot when she went over the curb into the Gulf Station while actively seizing, drove through a gas pump while striking a support for the overhead canopy, causing the pump to catch on fire,” said Sgt. Thomas Rizzo.

Rizzo explained that Stanton’s vehicle proceeded through the gas station parking lot, jumped another curb, went through and came out onto Route 9, where she struck a 2010 Lexus being driven by Joel Klinger, 70, of Howell.

“Klinger complained of back and neck pain, and his wife Deborah sustained a left leg and knee injury,” said Rizzo. “The Klingers were taken to Centra State Hospital by Howell Police EMS and Howell First Aid. Stanton sustained minor injury and was taken to Centra State for treatment.”

Traffic on Route 9 was closed and diverted into the Aldrich Plaza for about 45 minutes after the crash, while the Southard Fire Department put out the fire at the gas station. No summonses have been issued as the investigation is ongoing by Ptl. Scott Brooks. Any witnesses are asked to call the Howell Police at 732-938-4111.