UPDATE: One Man Injured in Accident with Two Tractor Trailers on Route 1

South Brunswick Police said an accident that occurred late this morning was caused when a tractor trailer ran through a red light and crashed into another tractor trailer on Route 1.

At about 11:15 a.m. police said a trailer driven by Shazad Iqbal, 32, of Jersey City, was headed northbound on Route 1 when Iqbal failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of Northumberland Way.

Iqbal's vehicle, which was carrying cardboard, then struck a 2003 Peterbilt tractor trailer that was making a left-hand turn off Northumberland Way onto Route 1 south. The Peterbilt, driven by Eric Petersen, 36, of Washington, was transporting road salt to the Department of Transportation storage facility, according to police.

Petersen's vehicle was forced onto its side by the collision, before coming to rest on the divider, according to police. The cab of the Kenworth trailer came to rest partially on top of the Peterbilt, police said. 

The Monmouth Junction and Kingston Fire Departments responded to the scene and secured both vehicles before extricating Iqbal from his trailer. South Brunswick EMS transported Iqbal to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was being evaluated for non-life threatening injuries. Peterson was uninjured in the accident, according to police.

The accident caused a two-mile traffic backup, as both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of Route 1 was closed for nearly three hours as debris was cleared. The roadway was reopened at about 2:15 p.m.

Iqbal was issued a summons for disregarding of a traffic signal.

The accident remains under investigation by the Officer Gary Holsten of the South Brunswick Police Traffic Safety Bureau.

*******************************************

2:15 p.m.

South Brunswick Police are reporting that Route 1 has been reopened following this morning's accident near North Umberland Way.

******************************************

11:45 a.m.

South Brunswick Police are reporting traffic backup of at least one mile on Route 1 north following an accident involving two tractor trailers late this morning.

The accident, which was reported at 11:15 a.m., left one trailer overturned on its side near North Umberland way, said police spokesman Sgt. Jim Ryan.

At least one person was injured in the accident, though it's not believed to be serious, according to police. The driver of the trailer was entrapped in the vehicle as of 11:40 a.m.

The Monmouth Junction Fire Department is on the scene to extricate the driver of the vehicle.

South Brunswick EMS units are also on scene.

Sgt. Ryan said the road is expected to be closed for a significant period of time.