1 in Critical Condition After Schooley's Mountain Head-On Crash, Cops Say

A head-on crash severely injured a woman Tuesday afternoon, Washington Township police said.

At 4:29 p.m. police received a report for a serious motor vehicle crash on Schooley’s Mountain Road in the area of residence number 63, and the caller reported seeing visible flames from the wreck, Lt. Mark Niemynski said. The crash involved two vehicles, each with a lone driver.

Omar Garcia, 34, of Allentown, Pa. was heading north on the roadway while driving a 2014 Chevy, Niemynski said. Mary Lou Gunther, 67, of Hillsborough was traveling south in a 1993 Toyota when she crossed over the centerline and struck Garcia, Niemynski said.

Garcia was taken to Morristown Medical Center by the Long Valley First Aid Squad for minor injuries. Gunther was transported by helicopter to Morristown Medical Center for serious injuries.

Schooley’s Mountain Road was closed in both directions for more than an hour to care for the injured and conduct an investigation. There are no charges yet, and the crash is still under investigation, Niemynski said.

Members of the Washington Township Fire Department also assisted at the scene.

Garcia was discharged from the hospital Tuesday and Gunther is currently in critical condition, according to Atlantic Health System spokesperson Maggie Goldberg. 

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