Route 539 Reopens After Dump Truck Crash, But Motorists Should Proceed With Caution, Lacey Police Say

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Route 539 has reopened in both directions hours after a fully-loaded Mack dump truck careened into a utility pole, overturned and sent the contents of the truck all over the roadway near milepost 17, Lacey Sergeant Robert Flynn said.

The driver of the truck, Eric Rice, 51, of Lakewood, lost control of the truck, crossed the southbound lanes, left the roadway and struck the pole and several trees, Flynn said.

The pole snapped in two and sent wires across the roadway, he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed the truck may have experienced a front tire blow out as
it was traveling through the curved, downhill portion of the roadway, which likely was a significant
factor in the crash, Flynn said.

Route 539 was closed in both directions from Route 72 in Barnegat to Harry Wright Boulevard in Manchester for roughly six hours, he said.

Rice was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment.

Drivers should expect intermittent lane or road closures into the night as crews work to repair the utilities.

"Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes if possible," Flynn said. "Those finding it necessary to travel through the area should exercise extreme caution as work crews will be present during nighttime hours."

The Berkeley Township HAZMAT Team also responded to the scene as a result of a diesel fuel leak from the
heavily damaged truck, he said.

Lacey Township Patrolman Evan Androcy is the investigating officer. The Forked River Fire
Department, Bamber Lakes Fire Department, Forked River and Bamber Lakes First Aid Squads, MONOC
paramedics, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and the Ocean County Road Department also assisted at the scene, Flynn said.

Photo: Patch file photo