EDISON – Police are investigating an accident on Route 27 south near Vineyard Road where a 44-year-old Metuchen man on an electric bicycle was fatally struck by a tractor trailer, authorities said.
Police initially was searching for the tractor trailer with a red cab, which several witnesses observed leaving the scene after it allegedly struck a pedestrian at 10:45 a.m. on Jan. 3, near the Lukoil gas station at 2193 Route 27, police said.
Since then the vehicle and the driver have been located and the driver is cooperating with authorities, according to information provided by Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Christopher L.C. Kuberiet and Police Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department.
Police Lt. Robert Dudash had said “given the size of tractor trailers, it is possible this driver may be unaware that a pedestrian was struck” before the tractor trailer was found.
Police Lt. Dominick Masi of the Edison Police Department and Detective Jason Mendelson of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined the tractor trailer was traveling on Route 27 when it struck the victim near Vineyard Road, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Southbound lanes of Route 27 were temporarily closed to traffic during the investigation, police said.
The victim was identified as Oscar Zanoni. He was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained in the crash. An autopsy has been scheduled with the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, according to the prosecutor’s office.
In a social media post, Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch said Zononi “was a friend to many in our community and was frequently seen around the borough walking the dogs he loved and riding his bike around he borough, especially downtown.”
“Oscar was never shy sharing his ideas with me on ways to improve the borough,” he said. “It goes without saying that we will miss his charming character and gentle soul.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Lt. Masi at 732-248-7585 or Detective Mendelson at 732-745-5948.