Driver faces DWI charge in Manchester crash that injured six

MANCHESTER — A Robbinsville man was arrested and faces charges for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he hit an 80-year-old woman trying to make a left turn.

Manchester Police said John Paulino, 26, was heading east on Route 571 around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in a 2006 Volkswagen Passat when he struck the passengers side of a Chevrolet Malibu driven by 80-year old Helen Giagiari of Manchester. Giagiari, according to police, was trying to turn left onto Route 70 west.

Following the crash, Paulino was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. His front-seat passenger, Brenda Noriega-Pinzon of Hamilton was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Giagiari’s passengers, Anna Troise and Rose Coppolino, also of Manchester Township, were also hospitalized with serious injuries. Police said Giagiari along with her other passengers, Liberina Salzone and Janette Mohr of Manchester Township were also hospitalized.

Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end and side damage in the crash, which remains under investigation. No other charges have been announced.

The Manchester Police were joined at the crash scene by investigators from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, as well as firefighters from both the Ridgeway and Manchester Volunteer Fire Departments.

Paramedics from MONOC and EMTs from Quality Medical Transport were on scene assisting as well.

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