Crash on Rt. 539 In Lacey Kills Staten Island Woman

LACEY, NJ — A Route 539 crash involving a Lexus and a dump truck killed a Staten Island woman Friday morning, according to Lacey police. The woman's Lexus burst into flames upon impact, leaving her dead at the scene.

Police withheld the identity of the 37-year-old Staten Island woman pending notification of next of kin. The crash, which occurred at about 6 a.m., caused a diesel fuel tank in the dump truck to spill in the roadway. Cleanup efforts remain underway with the road closed as of 3 p.m. Friday.

The crash occurred at mile marker 19.5. The Lexus driver drove north in the southbound lane, according to police. The 2006 Kenworth tri-axle dump truck was traveling south, and the Lexus driver struck the truck at a high rate of speed, police said.

Witnesses reported that the Lexus driver passed multiple vehicles while speeding, according to police. They also told authorities she failed to return to the northbound lane after passing another vehicle.

It did not appear possible for her to survive the initial impact, police said. Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Responding agencies also included the Forked River and Bamber Lakes Fire Departments, Berkeley HAZMAT Team, Ocean County Medical Examiner's Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey State Police, Stafford Township Police Department, Barnegat Police Department, Ocean County Road Department, New Jersey Department of Transportation and Accurate Towing.

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