By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
A four-vehicle collision on Route 535 on Jan. 27 sent a 77-year-old East Brunswick woman to the hospital in critical condition, according to police.
The accident took place around 8 a.m. Friday when Matthew Carvin, 20, of Yardville, Pennsylvania, driving a 2004 Ford Explorer, lost control of his vehicle while traveling north and crossed into the southbound lane of Route 535.
The Explorer struck and rolled on top of a 2001 Toyota driven by Margaret Smith, 77, of East Brunswick, trapping her inside the vehicle, according to police.
Following the first impact, the Explorer then flipped on its side and struck another 2001 Toyota, driven by Maria Staislawski, 52, of Brick, and a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer, driven by John Trader, Jr., 33, of Spotswood, before coming to rest, according to police.
The accident brought out several rescue and EMS crews and closed the road between Deans Rhode Hall and Ridge roads for more than two hours, police said.
Ms. Smith was cut out of her vehicle by the Monmouth Junction Fire Department, then transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick by the Kendall Park First Aid Squad where she was listed in critical condition, according to police.
Ms. Stanilsawski also was taken to the hospital by the Monroe EMS crew with nonlife-threatening injuries.
Neither Mr. Carvin nor Mr. Trader was injured in the accident, according to police.
An investigation by the South Brunswick Traffic Safety Bureau determined Mr. Carvin was traveling too fast when he crossed the double yellow lines and collided with the other vehicles, according to police.
As a result, Mr. Carvin was issued summonses for careless driving, failing to stay in his lane and speeding, according to police.

