by Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
A Somerset resident was in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital as of Wednesday, after a head-on collision between his vehicle and a tractor-trailer on Route 206 at 1:57 p.m. Tuesday.
James Bright, 28, was taken by Medevac helicopter to the hospital after his vehicle drifted over the double yellow lines on the road and struck the tractor-trailer, driven by Rohan Hemmings, 39, of Pennsylvania.
After the impact, the tractor-trailer jackknifed and traveled for about 200 feet before striking a utility pole and several traffic signs near the Kindercare day care, police said.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage in the crash.
Police said both the passenger in the minivan – Delmar Taylor, 31, of New Brunswick – and Mr. Hemmings were taken to Somerset Medical Center with minor injuries. They were both subsequently released.
Two vehicles following Mr. Bright’s car – driven by Hillsborough resident Dara Monsorno, 34, and Pennsylvania resident Frederick Pokrywka Jr., 52 – were struck by debris from the impact of the first two vehicles, but no injuries were reported.
According to Hillsborough police Lt. Bill Geary, Route 206 was closed between Raider Boulevard and Homestead Road for about six hours after the crash.
Lt. Geary said the utility pole – which held only phone and cable connections – has been repaired, and the lines were intact following the crash. He said residents did not lose any service when the pole was struck.
Police are still investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4323, ext. 8.