EAST BRUNSWICK — Route 18 was closed for two hours after an accident caused two vehicles to become engulfed in flames on the morning of July 31.
The accident occurred when a white box truck driven by Jermahl Stewart, 24, of Newark, reportedly crashed into the back of a sport utility vehicle driven by Christopher Raynor, 32, Matawan. Raynor, driving a 2000 Chevy Blazer, was stopped at a red light at Route 18 and Tices Lane when he was struck. The impact caused his car to burst into flames, according to police.
There were no passengers, and both Stewart and Raynor escaped with minor injuries, police said.
Raynor, a Piscataway police officer who was on his way home from work at the time, was in the center lane when he was hit. The impact also knocked his car into the northbound lane, where it became stuck against the divider, according to Patrolman Michael Smith.
"He had to get out of his passenger side," Smith said, adding that Raynor’s seat belt and composure are what saved him from serious injury.
Raynor "was able to walk away from the accident," Smith said. He suffered minor burns and complained of pain, according to police.
After the accident, the box truck continued down the highway for about 200 feet and wound up in the northbound lane near West Prospect Street, Smith said. The truck was not carrying anything and was being driven by a transportation company to a business that had just purchased it.
Smith said Stewart was able to get out of the truck, but immediately fell to the ground. Patrolman Joseph Kowal and a passerby pulled him away from the fire.
Stewart complained of neck and back pain, and was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, police said.
"He said the truck’s brakes failed," Smith said. "The vehicle can’t be inspected due to the fire and physical damage.
"Both vehicles were totally engulfed. It was impressive, the amount of fire," Smith said.
Both vehicles were totaled, and Stewart was issued a summons for careless driving, Smith said. The police investigation has been closed.
The accident and ensuing fire caused Route 18 to be closed for about two hours, according to police. The road was closed so that the vehicles could be removed and the traffic light, which was knocked out of service, could be repaired.
"We reopened it as we were able to clear a lane here and there," Smith said.
The fire destroyed part of the traffic light at Route 18 and Tices Lane, Smith said.
"DOT repaired it temporarily and came back later in the day and put in a new pole," Smith said.
It took firefighters from the East Brunswick Independent Fire Company about 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze, Smith said.