HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP: Tractor-trailer, van collide on Route 31

Preliminary investigation revealed that a driver disregarded a red light

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   A tractor-trailer was hit by a van whose driver apparently ran a red light Monday morning at the intersection of Tree Farm Road and state Route 31 in Hopewell Township, police said.
   The driver of the van was sent to the hospital for treatment of neck pain and released. The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured.
   Lt. Lance Maloney said the accident occurred at 10:56 a.m. A 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Paul Faircloth, 64, of Orangewood Drive, Levittown, Pa., had collided with a 2007 Ford Econoline van driven by Michael Dinapoli, 34, of Somerdale.
   Preliminary investigation of the crash revealed that Mr. Faircloth was traveling north on Route 31 and approaching Tree Farm Road when Mr. Dinapoli disregarded a red light while traveling east on Tree Farm Road and entered into the intersection, striking the rear driver’s side wheels of the tractor, police said.
   The van then struck the rear wheels of the trailer, a liquid cargo container containing corn syrup, causing extensive damage to the front of the van. Mr. Faircloth had tried to steer the tractor to the right, but was unable to avoid a collision, police said.
   The Route 31 northbound and southbound lanes each have additional turning lanes at this intersection. The road surface was clear and dry.
   Traffic was alternated on Route 31 temporarily until the scene was cleared at approximately 12:30 p.m.
   The tractor-trailer is owned by Foodliner out of Dubuque, Iowa.
   The van is owned by Princeton Air Conditioning Inc.
   Mr. Dinapoli was issued a summons for careless driving.
   The crash is being investigated by Officer Christopher Kascik.
   Responding along with the township police were the Hopewell Valley Emergency Services Unit, Pennington Fire Co., Pennington First Aid Squad, Capital Health System paramedics and Pennington Borough police.