Texting Driver Causes Head-On Crash In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A driver texting is what caused a horrific crash in South Brunswick Township Monday — and police are saying it's a miracle neither driver was seriously injured or killed.

Patch first reported on the crash when it shut down Ridge Road, near the Jersey Turnpike, for hours Monday afternoon: At 1:13 p.m. a 33-year-old East Windsor man was driving a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta westbound on Ridge Road when he crossed over the double yellow lines and struck an eastbound tractor trailer nearly head on. Witnesses reported seeing the Jetta swerve all over the road as the driver was texting just prior to the crash, police said. There were no serious injuries. The man was issued numerous motor vehicle summonses, including careless driving, failure to maintain lane, crossing double-yellow line and use of a wireless cellphone while operating a motor vehicle.

The crash ruptured the tractor trailer’s fuel tanks and spilled diesel fuel over Ridge Road. The force of the crash ripped the Volkswagen’s engine out of the car onto the roadway 20 feet away.

“It is a miracle that neither driver was seriously injured or killed as a result of this driver texting," said Police Chief Raymond Hayducka. "I am not sure what was so critical in a text message that would allow you to take your eyes off the road and hit a tractor trailer head on.”

This was actually the second accident on Ridge Road Monday; the first crash took place at 7 a.m. near the Monmouth Junction Post Office. In that crash a 17-year-old girl was driving a 1994 Ford Mustang westbound and lost control. The Mustang crashed into a house in the 600 block of Ridge Road and heavily damaged the home. The driver was uninjured and was issued a summons for careless driving. A photo of that crash is below.

South Brunswick police have targeted that specific area of Ridge Road for enhanced enforcement. Officers have issued 40 summonses in the past week on Ridge Road near today’s crash location. Police will continue to have enhanced presence and enforcement in the area.

Photo credits: All images courtesy of South Brunswick Police