Ocean County, NJ (May 23, 2026) – A garbage truck overturned on Thursday morning, May 21, and struck a Ford F-150 pickup in a two-vehicle collision on Route 70 near Green Acres Road in Ocean County.
Police said the crash happened shortly after 11 a.m. when a 2004 Mack garbage truck was traveling eastbound on Route 70 and overturned while attempting to turn into the Ocean County Landfill at 2498 Route 70. The overturned truck landed on the rear of a Ford F-150 that was stopped at a traffic light near the landfill exit.
The driver of the garbage truck, 28-year-old Marquis Dove of Plainsboro, suffered minor injuries and did not request hospital transport. His passenger, 58-year-old Harrie Garris of Toms River, was taken to Community Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
In the Ford pickup, driver Bryan Bollhardt, 30, of Forked River, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and declined hospital transport. His passenger, 65-year-old Richard Bollhardt, was not injured.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, with speed identified as a possible contributing factor. No citations have been confirmed. We are thinking of those injured.
Why Large Truck Overturns Can Lead to Serious Secondary Crashes
When large commercial vehicles overturn, nearby traffic can be affected almost instantly due to their size and momentum. Trucks making sharp turns or braking heavily may become unstable, especially when carrying uneven weight loads or navigating tight entry points like landfill driveways.
Investigators typically examine speed, braking actions, road curvature, and vehicle load distribution when reviewing rollover crashes. These factors can help explain why a truck may tip during a turn or sudden stop.
Secondary impacts often occur when other vehicles are stopped nearby, increasing the risk of injury even if occupants are not directly involved in the rollover. Scene evidence, such as tire marks, vehicle positioning, and damage points, helps reconstruct the sequence of events.
