SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Route 535 crash victim recovering

By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
   An East Windsor man is recovering after being trapped in his vehicle for almost an hour following an early Saturday morning crash with a tanker truck on Route 535 and Stults Road.
   Sanjay Das, 43, was still hospitalized and reported in good condition Tuesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick, according to hospital spokesperson Cheryl Sarfaty.
   Mr. Das was driving his 2004 Audi sedan south on Route 535 when his vehicle struck the rear tires of a northbound Peterbilt gasoline truck operated by Jamesburg resident John Flesch, 49, at about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, police said.
   Police said it took almost an hour for Monmouth Junction Fire Department rescue workers to remove Mr. Das from his vehicle using the Jaws of Life.
   Members of the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad and paramedics then took Mr. Das to a nearby warehouse parking lot where he was then flown to Robert Wood Johnson hospital in New Brunswick by a State Police Medivac helicopter where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
   Mr. Flesch, the driver of the truck, was reportedly uninjured, police said.
   Sgt. James Ryan said police believe the accident was not the result of the weather, or drugs and alcohol.
   ”No charges have been filed as of yet,” Sgt. Ryan said. “Investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs played any part in the crash.”
   The road has a bend where the accident took place, but police are unsure what impact the bend may have had in causing the accident, Sgt. Ryan said.
   Police said the roadway was closed for three hours while they investigated the crash.
   Police are asking anyone with any additional information to call lead investigator Lt. Joseph Charmello at 732-329-4646.