SWAINTON – Two teens were seriously injured on Friday, Jan. 26, when the car they were riding in apparently hydroplaned and struck a tree.
According to the Middle Township Police Department, on Jan. 26 at approximately 8:55 p.m., the MTPD responded to the 300 block of Swainton-Goshen Road (CR 646) following a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a single vehicle colliding with a tree. Police arrived and found the vehicle had four occupants at the time of the incident.
The driver, identified as Omni Smigliani by NJ.com, was found unconscious. One of the officers on the scene began CPR until emergency services personnel arrived. The driver was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Division, where he was listed in critical but stable condition with a head injury.
The front seat passenger, identified from a GoFundMe page as Charlie Omrod, 16, was also suffering from a head injury, and was transported to Cooper Medical Center in critical, but stable condition. He was described as having suffered a traumatic brain injury of the right side, skull fractures, brain bleeding, along with a fractured leg.
According to his aunt, who set up the GoFundMe page, Omrod is still recovering from a dirt bike injury from six months ago that had caused skull fractures to the left side of his head and caused brain bleeding.
According to the MTPD, there were two passengers in the back seat of the vehicle who received non-life-threatening injuries and who were transported to Cape Regional Medical Center.
The Middle Township Police Crash Team has taken charge of the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Assisting in the response and investigation were Inspira Emergency Medical Services, Middle Township Ambulance Corp, AtlantiCare Paramedics, Goshen Volunteer Fire Company and the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office.
Separate GoFundMe pages were established for Omni Smigliani and Charlie Omrod. Organizers said they are seeking donations, thoughts and prayers for the young men.
