An 86-year-old Monmouth County man died as a result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday afternoon in Neptune Township, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Monday.

Malcolm Ryder, 86, of Spring Lake Heights, was the front passenger in a 2005 Honda Accord driven by Gladys Strong, 47, of Brick Township, that was traveling northbound in the right lane of Route 18. At approximately 2:31 p.m., the Accord collided with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 17-year-old female from Avon by the Sea, as the driver was attempting to merge onto Route 18 north from State Highway 33.

Ryder was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was pronounced dead at 3:22 p.m.

Gladys Strong was admitted to Jersey Shore and treated for moderate injuries. The 17-year-old driver was uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART), and Neptune Township Police Department.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information to assist the investigative team is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kristian DeVito at 800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Officer Jason Rademacher at 732-988-8000 ext. 765.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office