MONROE – The Monroe Township Police Department is investigating a serious motor vehicle crash – which was possibly promoted by a road rage incident – that occurred around 3:15 p.m. on May 29 on Route 33 eastbound, just east of Bentley Road.
A 2018 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 54-year-old Freehold man; a 2016 Honda CR-V driven by a 37-year-old Staten Island woman; and a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by a 29-year-old East Brunswick man were traveling eastbound on Route 33, according to police. A fourth vehicle, a 2006 International Truck 2006, which is a traffic control equipment truck, was parked in the eastbound shoulder of Route 33, according to reports.
The driver of the Impala allegedly applied his brakes to cut off the Silverado, according to police. This caused the Silverado to swerve to the right and strike the rear of the traffic control truck. The CR-V then struck the Silverado and the truck. The drive of the Impala reportedly fled the scene of the accident, according to police.
Several witnesses followed the Impala on Route 33 eastbound and were able to obtain a license plate number, police said.
The driver of the Silverado sustained serious internal injuries and a broken leg. He was treated on scene by the Monroe Township First Aid Squad and then transported to Robert Wood University Hospital in New Brunswick.
The Staten Island woman sustained an arm injury. There was a female juvenile passenger in vehicle who was uninjured.
There were two occupants inside the parked traffic control equipment truck who sustained minor injuries.
The driver of the Impala was located on May 30 and charged with assault by auto, knowingly leaving the scene on a motor vehicle accident which resulted in serious injuries, reckless driving, careless driving and unsafe lane change.
The crash is being investigated by Sgt. Sergeis Jangols and Officer Daniel Mosakowski of the Monroe Township Traffic Safety Division. Anyone with information should call 732-521-0222, ext. 126.