Morning crash, fire cause delays on Route 130 in South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A motor vehicle crash and fire tied up rush hour on Route 130 on Oct. 23.

At 8:10 a.m., a 2018 Ford Fusion driven by a 23-year-old Piscataway man was headed south on Route 130 at the intersection of Melrich Road. The man reportedly attempted to make a left across Route 130 north, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department. His vehicle was struck by a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder operated by a 45-year-old man from The Bronx, New York, that was heading north on Route 130.

The Pathfinder struck the Fusion and spun it around in the intersection, according to reports. The Ford then caught fire. Both drivers were able to escape their vehicles.

The driver of the Pathfinder was transported by South Brunswick EMS to Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Monmouth Junction Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. Delays were experienced both southbound and northbound as firefighters worked to put out the fire.

An investigation by South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Officer William Beard determined the driver of the Fusion allegedly failed to make sure the northbound lanes were clear when he started his turn, according to the statement. He was issued two summonses for failure to yield right of way and obstruction of traffic.

Deans Garage towed the two vehicles from the highway, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation responded to the scene to assist with the damaged roadway. The highway was impacted from the crash until 9:15 a.m.