Route 1 Closed in Lawrence Township After Fatal Dump Truck Crash involving 18-Year-Old.
Tragic Accident in Lawrence Township Claims Teenage Life
Lawrence Township, New Jersey was the site of a fatal accident on June 1, 2023. At around 12:17 p.m., Lawrence Township Police Department received reports of a crash at the intersection of Brunswick Pike (Route 1) and Franklin Corner Road. The collision involved a dump truck and a sedan, both of which sustained serious damage. The driver of the sedan, identified as 18-year-old Daijah McKithen from Lawrenceville, NJ, sadly succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Suleyman Durdu, a 28-year-old Bordentown resident and the driver of the dump truck, suffered moderate, non-life-threatening injuries.
The Lawrence Township Police Department called upon the assistance of several agencies, including the Lawrence Township Fire Department & Emergency Medical Services, Capital Health System Advanced Life Support, and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation is still ongoing, and the police are appealing to any witnesses to come forward. Officer Thomas Everist can be contacted at 609-896-1111 or [email protected], and Detective Paulina Way at 609-844-7133 or [email protected].
Following the accident, the roadway was reported to be heavily congested. Southbound traffic on Route 1 was backed up for at least three miles, all the way to the West Windsor border near Quakerbridge Road. To cope with the situation, the police had to close Route 1 southbound at I-295 northbound, causing a traffic delay of approximately 3/4 of a mile. According to Google Traffic, the delay was expected to increase.
Emergency service personnel were on the scene, redirecting traffic and investigating the crash. All drivers were advised to find alternate routes in the meantime. Information provided by the NJ DOT – TOC South indicated that all lanes were closed and detoured, causing 5-10 minute delays. All drivers were advised to use caution.
Witnesses shared photographs of the accident that were sent to MidJersey.news. The images showed a dump truck that had run into a gas station on the southbound side of the highway, with debris scattered in all directions. Further details will be released as they become available. This tragic accident has shocked the community, and everyone is urged to comply with traffic regulations and stay safe on the road.
