Route 287 commuters slowed by 2 accidents

Two accidents on Interstate 287 made for a rough start to the morning commute in Central Jersey.

New Jersey State Police spokesman Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Williams said a truck driver, who pulled over on the northbound side at 3:40 a.m. near exit #12 for Weston Canal Road in Franklin Township and stepped onto the right shoulder, was seriously injured when he was struck by a Chrysler PT Cruiser. Williams said the car also hit the truck.

Both drivers, neither of whom was identified by Williams, were taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment.

The roadside investigation into the incident closed the right lane, causing a multi-mile delay to start the morning commute. All lanes were reopened by 7:30 a.m.

The accident is not far from where 85-year-old Miroslav Bodnar of Somerset was struck and killed on Monday when he got out of his Dodge Caravan.

New Jersey Fast Traffic's Bob Williams said that stretch of Route 287 has limited sight lines. "Drivers can easily be surprised and not have much time to react to incidents that come up in that area," Bob said.

Southbound drivers had problems as well with an accident on the ramp from the express lanes of Route 287 to Routes 202/206 around 6:45 a.m. that caused part of the of ramp to be blocked off, according to Bob.