TOMS RIVER, NJ – An 86-year-old woman crashed into St. Justin’s Church in Toms River. According to police, her vehicle became airborne before colliding with the structure.
The Toms River Police Department reported that on on Thursday, at approximately 10:25 AM police and EMS units were dispatched to St. Justin’s Church on Fischer Blvd for a reported vehicle into the building.
The driver was identified as Frances Baranowski, 86 of Brick.
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Police said Baranowski stated that she was attempting to pull out of her parking spot when her foot became stuck on the gas pedal and behind the brake pedal, causing her vehicle accelerate forward, hitting the curb, and become airborne before colliding with the building. The vehicle sustained moderate damage to its front end as a result of the crash.
“Ms. Baranowski refused medical treatment at the scene,” the Toms River Police Department said. “The building sustained considerable damage to the structure as a result of the crash and was deemed unsafe by the Toms River Township Building Department.”
The accident is being investigated by Officer Will Resetar.