Manchester crash leaves driver hospitalized

A driver from New Egypt was flown to hospitalization Tuesday morning after his minivan rear-ended a tractor trailer on eastbound Route 37 at Colonial Drive in Manchester.

Robert Young, 54, was taken by MONOC helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after being extricated from his 2004 Toyota Sienna, according to police.

Officers arriving at about 7:15 determined that the Freightliner big rig was stopped at a traffic signal when Young's vehicle plowed into it. He was wearing a seat belt, police said.

The trucker, Steven Taylor, 46, of Somerset, was treated for back and neck pain by Manchester First Aiders and paramedics.

The eastbound side of the highway remained under detours for traffic while the investigation continued.

Manchester, Ridgeway, Lakehurst and Toms River firefighters assisted  Manchester PD Patrolman Paul Bachovchin is leading the investigation.