By John Burton
LONG BRANCH – The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and city police are continuing to investigate what was a minor traffic collision between two vehicles that turned tragic last night when a third vehicle struck one of the others killing one of the drivers.
Victoria Tropper, 21, a Marlboro resident and Monmouth University student, was killed while standing in the area of Joline and Fifth avenues, in front of her Volkswagen Jetta when a Dodge Ram pickup truck struck the rear of her vehicle, according to Charles Webster, public information officer for the prosecutor’s office.
Webster said Tropper was involved in what he labeled a “minor car accident” with Thomas Trianon, 49, Cherry Hill, who was driving a Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Trianon pulled his truck to the road’s shoulder, with Tropper pulling in behind. The two were standing between their vehicles when the Dodge, driven by Joseph Stovell, a 46-year-old city resident, struck the rear of Tropper’s Jetta, Webster said.
Tropper was pronounced dead at the scene. Trianon was transported to an unidentified area hospital for what Webster called non-life threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition Thursday.
“The investigation is currently active and ongoing,” Webster said.
No charges have been filed at this time.
