2 Injured As School Van Hits Dump Truck With 25 Tons Of Asphalt In Howell, Police Say

HOWELL, NJ — Two people were injured Monday in a three-vehicle crash that involved a privately owned school vehicle and a dump truck on Route 547 in Howell, police said.

Route 547 remains closed between Oak Glen Road and Victory Road because of damage to the road caused by the crash, Sgt. Eric Encarnacion said. Drivers should avoid the area and plan an alternate route.

The crash happened shortly after 9 a.m. when a 2015 Dodge minivan was driving north on Route 547 and crossed center line into the path of a dump truck from Star Construction that was hauling more than 25 tons of asphalt, Encarnacion said.

The minivan was owned by D.A.G. Transport, a privately owned school transport company. There were no students on board at the time of the crash.

The crash tore the front axle off the dump truck and the dump truck ran off the road and hit a home on Route 547, Encarnacion said. The home was not occupied and the electric and gas were not connected. The building sustained major structural damage as a result of the dump truck hitting it, he said. The dump truck then began leaking gasoline, he said.

The minivan, meanwhile, then hit a 2004 Ford F350 pickup truck that was pulling a trailer, disabling that vehicle as well, police said.

The drivers of the minivan and the dump truck were injured taken to a hospital for treatment. They were not identified. The driver of the Ford F350 was not harmed.

The crash caused damage to the road and there is a possible water main break as well, police said. The road remains closed as a result.

Patrolman Anthony DeMatteo and Traffic Officer Daniel Scherbinsky are investigating. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has additional information is asked to contact DeMatteo at 732-938-4575 ext. 2682 or the Howell Police nonemergency line at 732-938-4111.

Responding to the crash were the Howell Township Building Department, the Monmouth County Hazmat/Office of Emergency Management, Ramtown Fire Company, Southard Fire Department, Squankum Fire Company, Howell Fire Bureau, Herbertsville Fire Company, Howell Police EMS, Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad, Hatzolah and the Monmouth County Road Department, and Certified Auto Mall Towing and Recovery.