Overturned dump truck on Route 78 snarls morning commute

The Wednesday morning commute on Route 78 was snarled by an overturned dump truck that seriously injured the driver.

New Jersey State Police spokesman Sergeant First Class (SFC) Gregory Williams said Victor Rodriguez Estevez, 59, of The Bronx lost control of a dump truck on the westbound side near Route 287 in Bedminster around 5:35 a.m.. The vehicle went off the road into the median, turning over on the driver's side.

Estevez's 2015 Kenilworth truck struck the guard rail and spilled a small amount of diesel fuel and some dirt onto the road according to Williams, who said the investigation is on going into what caused him to lose control.Williams did not know what caused Estevez to lose control and said no charges have been filed.

Estevez was flown to University Hospital in Newark.

The Somerset County Hazmat team closed down all but one lane for clean up until just after 9 a.m. according to Williams. New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams delays started at least 5 miles away around exit #33 for Liberty Corner Road in Basking Ridge.