In the first incident, which occurred shortly before 6 a.m., a Nissan Maxima veered off the roadway on the southbound side of Cranbury-South River Road (Route 535) between Stults and Thatcher roads. The vehicle struck a utility pole and overturned, tragically killing the 65-year-old driver, a resident of South River. The southbound lanes remained closed for an extended period during the morning rush hour.
Approximately an hour and a half later, around 7:40 a.m., a fatal collision occurred on the shoulder of Route 1 North near Major Road. A motorcyclist traveling on the shoulder collided with a Chevrolet Malibu that was attempting to exit the roadway. The impact proved fatal for the motorcyclist, a 38-year-old man from Linwood, Pennsylvania, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Route 1 drivers are permitted to utilize the shoulder during specific hours, from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, between Ridge Road and Promenade Boulevard. The purpose of this allowance is to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours.
Authorities have withheld the identities of the deceased pending the notification of their families. Both crashes remain under investigation to determine the precise causes and contributing factors that led to these tragic losses of life.
