Former Miss New Jersey Cara McCollum critically injured in car accident

Cara McCollum, Miss New Jersey 2013 and current television news anchor, was critically injured in a car crash on Route 55 on Feb. 15.

The 24-year-old from Margate, New Jersey was driving her 2014 Ford Mustang north on Route 55 in Salem County when it spun off the side of the road and hit a tree around 7 p.m, reports The Press of Atlantic City. The car hit two more trees before stopping in an embankment.

She was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident and was the only person in the car, NBC New York reports.

Police told The Press that speed was a factor, as well as the wet roads. They are still investigating the crash.

McCollum was taken to Cooper Health Systems and is still listed in critical condition.

She was named Miss New Jersey in 2013 and did compete in the 2014 Miss America pageant. She covered the 2015 pageant for WACP’s SNJ Today News, reports NJ.com. She did reports for the program on Presidents Day and local weather earlier this week.

McCollum is a Princeton graduate and was born in Arkansas. SNJ Today has posted a statement on Facebook, confirming the accident.