South Brunswick Police Officer, Three Motorists Injured in Two Crashes on Route 1

South Brunswick Police are investigating a pair of early morning accidents that injured a police officer and three motorists, and closed Route 1 northbound for about five hours.

The first accident took place at about 1 a.m. when a New York Times tractor trailer ran into the back of a tanker truck at the intersection of Route 1 and Major Road. The accident caused a large fuel spill, and required the pesticides from the tanker truck to be off loaded into another tanker truck. Both drivers were injured and taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The accident forced the closure of Route 1 northbound.

At 1:47 a.m., South Brunswick Police had the road closed from the first accident with a patrol car blocking the road and an officer diverting traffic onto Major Road. A 2002 Nissan Altima disregarded the closed roadway and broadsided the marked patrol car at highway speeds. The officer in the patrol car was injured. The 25-year veteran officer was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

The Monmouth Junction Fire Department, Monmouth Junction First Aid, Middlesex County Hazmat, and New Jersey Department of Transportation responded to the accidents.

Route 1 was reopened at about 6 a.m.

We will update this story when new information is released.