Driver ticketed after accident

BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Emergency services personnel (above) prepare to place Ana Ruiz, of Parlin, in an ambulance following a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 9 north and Route 520 in Marlboro on April 13. At right, a Chrysler minivan rests on its roof following the afternoon crash. A traffic accident at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 520 in Marlboro occurred when the driver of a minivan apparently failed to stop at a red light.

On April 13 at 3 p.m., Ana Ruiz, 39, of Parlin, was traveling north on Route 9 while Iryna Potapchuck, 40, of Monroe, was traveling west on Route 520.

Marlboro Patrolman Richard Borowsky said that according to witnesses at the scene, Ruiz, who was operating a Chrysler minivan, ran a red light on Route 9. Her vehicle was then struck by Potapchuck as she was entering the intersection.

Potapchuck's Volkswagen Jetta hit the right rear of the minivan, causing it to rotate and overturn, the officer said. Although the vehicle landed on its roof, Ruiz was able to crawl out of the van on her own.

According to Borowsky, Potapchuck did not have any injuries. He said Ruiz complained of pain to her lower back and hips and she had minor cuts on her head. Ruiz was transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. She was treated and released.

As for the damage to the vehicles, Borowsky said the Jetta had front-end damage and he believes the van was totaled.

Police said it is unknown if either vehicle was speeding, but both drivers were wearing seat belts.

According to Borowsky, Ruiz was issued a ticket for failing to observe a traffic signal, which has a maximum penalty of two points and an $85 fine. However, because Route 9 is considered a New Jersey Safe Corridor, the fine for the ticket is doubled, the officer added.

Following the mid-afternoon accident, traffic on Route 9 north was backed up almost to the border of Manalapan and Marlboro just south of Union Hill Road.