Motorist Collides With Dump Truck on Mount Airy Road

An Easton, Pa., woman had to be cut from her car early Monday morning after police said she apparently crossed the yellow line on Mount Airy Road near the Somerset Hills YMCA and crashed head-on into an approaching dump truck, Bernards Township police said.

The Basking Ridge Fire Co. and Emergency Medical Squad extricated the woman from the accident, which took place at 1:28 a.m. on Monday, and transported her to Morristown Medical Center, said Jack McGrath, public information officer for the fire company.

The woman, 35-year-old Kesha Peterson of Easton, reportedly was alone driving south on Mount Airy Road when she crossed the center line and hit the northbound dump truck's front bumper, according to the township police report.

The truck driver, who was not reported to be injured, said he attempted to avoid the car but was unable to do so, said Bernards Police Lt. Michael Voorhees.

Peterson, who suffered broken bones, was issued summonses for careless driving and failure to keep right, according to the police report.

The investigation into the accident continues, Voorhees said.

McGrath said that volunteer emergency responders were at the crash scene until 3:40 a.m.

Basking Ridge fire and EMS units answered the call at 1:28 a.m., and arrived to be told by police that the serious accident would require a major extrication.

A Basking Ridge fire truck operated by ex-chief Mike Delgado was the first vehicle to arrive, followed by a Basking Ridge ambulance and paramedic unit from Liberty Corner, McGrath said.

The extrication, under the direction and operation of Capt. Brian Grace and McGrath, began with the removal of the roof to allow EMT Sarah Bonnefoi to enter the rear seat and attend to Peterson.

Three of the vehicle's four doors were removed to allow removal of the patient by firefighters Ed La Fean, Bobby Fullagar,and Dan Casale, while ex-squad Capt. Jane McArthur directed the EMS operations.

Ultimately, Peterson was successfully removed and transported to Morristown Medical Center by the Emergency Medical Squad and medics, McGrath reported.