Part of Ridge Road Closed Through Evening Rush Hour

An early morning crash on Ridge Road has closed part of the roadway and cut off water to a Monmouth Junction neighborhood through Wednesday afternoon.

At 3:45 a.m. on July 17, police said Darsi Shamsi, 21, of South Brunswick, was driving a 2013 Hyundai south on Ridge Road when he failed to negotiate a curve. According to police, Shamsi's vehicle left the roadway and struck a fire hydrant and a PSE&G utility pole.

Water then rushed from the broken fire hydrant into the roadway, partially washing out the road and sidewalk, police said. 

Shamsi allegedly admitted that he had been drinking before the crash. After failing field sobriety tests, he was transported to police headquarters and charged with drunk driving and careless driving. 

Water in the neighborhood is expected to be off until about 2 p.m. Wednesday. Ridge Road is expected to remain closed from New Road to Green Ridge Lane through the evening rush hour.