Man Dead After Crashing Into Tree In South Jersey: Authorities

WOODLAND TOWNSHIP, NJ — An 84-year-old man from Toms River is dead after his SUV hit a tree near a traffic circle on State Highway 70 east Friday, New Jersey State Police said.

The crash happened about 6:30 a.m. near mile marker 26.3 on Route 70, state police said.

Based on early evidence, Thomas M. Donato was driving a Buick east along Route 70 toward the Route 70 and Route 72 traffic circle, according to authorities.

As he neared the circle, Donato lost control of the SUV, went off the left side of the road, hit a curb, hit a road sign, and then continued to move east through traffic.

The Buick then veered off again, this time to the right, and hit another curb, another road sign, and then a tree, state police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

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