Mother, Son Airlifted After Barnegat Accident

Barnegat police are investigating a multicar accident that occurred around 3 p.m. today at West Bay Avenue and Barnegat Boulevard and sent four people to area hospitals - including a mother and her 4-year-old son.

The investigation showed that a 2010 Honda Accord operated by Robert Nowicki, 77, of Toms River, was eastbound on West Bay Avenue when it drove into the back of a stopped 2006 Ford Taurus operated by Sheena Longland, 26, of Barnegat.

Longland's vehicle, which was stopped at a red light, was forced into the back of a 2003 Ford E350 box truck operated by Charles Antonozzi, 71, of Barnegat. Antonozzi's vehicle was subsequently forced into a 2000 Ford Winstar operated by Arkadiusz Zdiarski, 23, of Jackson.

Arriving officers found multiple injured victims. Sheena Longland and her 4-year-old son, Aiden, were found entrapped in her vehicle. Aiden, who was in a car seat, was extricated from the vehicle by an off-duty officer from Stafford Polilce Department. Sheena was extricated by the Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company. Front seat passenger Marie Germer, 74, of Barnegat was also removed from the vehicle and treated.

A landing zone was established at the First Street Park where MONOC and New Jersey State Police Southstar medevac helicopters landed to transport victims.

Sheena Longland was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center by MONOC medevac helicopter with a broken arm and possible internal injuries.

Aiden Longland was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center by New Jersey State Police Southstar helicopter with multiple leg fractures.

Marie Germer was transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center by Quality Medical ambulance with facial lacerations and possible internal injuries.

Nowicki was transported by Quality Medical ambulance to Southern Ocean Medical Center with chest pain.

The remaining subjects were either uninjured or had minor injuries.

The accident is being investigated by the Barnegat Police Traffic Safety Unit. Preliminary indications are that Nowicki suffered a medical episode while driving which led to the accident.

Multiple lanes were closed on West Bay Avenue in the area of the accident for approximately two hours while the investigation was conducted.

The accident was discovered by Barnegat Patrolman Christopher Ebert who was on patrol in the area and responded to investigate when he heard the collision from his patrol vehicle.

Initial responding officers were assisted by off-duty Barnegat Patrolman Edward Hayes and off-duty Stafford Police Officer Christopher Smith, both of whom were in personal vehicles at the accident location and responded immediately to offer assistance.