Car Crash, Fire Shut Down Route 130 In South Brunswick: Police

A car crash shut down Route 130 on Tuesday in South Brunswick, police said. The car crash and a fire shut down the highway, police said. The crash was at Melrich Road and Route 130, and injuries were reported.

At 8:10 a.m. Tuesday a 2018 Ford Fusion being driven by John Yesalavich, 23, of Piscataway was headed south on Route 130 at the intersection of Melrich Road. Yesalavich attempted to make a left across Route 130 north. His vehicle was struck by a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder operated by Benjamin Obeng, 45, of the Bronx, that was heading north on Route 130.

The Pathfinder struck the Fusion and spun it around in the intersection. Seconds after the collision, the Ford caught fire. Both drivers were able to escape their vehicles. Obeng 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 that Yesalavich failed to make sure the northbound lanes were clear when he started his turn. 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. Tuesday, Oct. 23.

South Brunswick police photo