Ramp from Route 1 to Route 18 shut down by traffic accident.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- An early-morning traffic accident resulted in a vehicle fire and downed utility wires that knocked out power to more than 2,000 homes and businesses in New Brunswick, according to transportation and utility officials.
The accident occurred at about 6:40 a.m. on the southbound side of Route 1, near the ramp that leads to Route 18, the state Department of Transportation said on its traffic website. The ramp to Route 18 has been closed since the crash.
The accident resulted in power outages for 2,200 homes and businesses in the area, said Francis Sullivan, a spokesman for Public Service Electric & Gas.
Sullivan said all but one utility customer had power restored shortly before 7 a.m., but a care center very close to the accident scene is was still without power as of 8 a.m. and likely won't have its electricity restored for several more hours.
The cause of the accident is not yet known, and there has been no confirmation of any injuries. New Brunswick police were unable to provide information about the incident.
Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @LensReality or like him on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.