MANAHAWKIN — A 17-year-old boy died early Tuesday when the pickup truck he was driving collided with a pole on Route 72 after he possibly fell asleep at the wheel, police said.

The boy was driving a silver 2005 Ford Ranger eastbound on 72 near Nautilus Drive when the vehicle struck the pole and overturned at 1:35 a.m., police said in a Facebook post. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The state Department of Transportation and utility companies were on scene repairing the damaged pole, police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

Contact John O'Connor:

609-272-7247

joconnor@pressofac.com

X @acpressoconnor

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