PLUMSTED — Police responded today to two unrelated crashes involving large trucks on Route 539 -- one crash left a man with serious injuries and the second crash caused traffic delays, said Lt. George Titko, who responded to both crashes.

Dan Scarpati Jr., 50, of the Forked River section of Lacey, was trapped inside his 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier station wagon after the car collided with a dump truck that turned directly into the car's path, Titko said.

The crash happened at 10:40 a.m. today, police said.

Scarpati's car was mangled and extensive extrication by the New Egypt Fire Company was needed to free him from the wreckage, Titko said.

Scarpati had a broken leg, a head injury including a concussion and facial lacerations. He was flown by Southstar helicopter to Helene Fuld Medical Center in Trenton for treatment, Titko said.

The New Egypt First Aid Squad also assisted in his extrication and treatment, Titko said.

Scarpati's car was traveling south on Route 539 when a tractor trailer, driven by Charles Morris Jr., 38, of the Browns Mills section of Pemberton Township, turned his truck into the path of the oncoming car, Titko said.

The truck, a 2004 Kenworth dump truck registered to Mann Trucking Corp. in Mount Laurel, was turning left into E.M.E Excavating, at 849 Route 539 in the New Egypt section.

Morris was issued a summons by Titko charging him with careless driving.

Earlier on Route 539 at about 8:30 a.m., a tractor trailer cut the turn too tight while
turning right off Route 539 at the intersection of Route 537, Titko said.

The truck knocked down a traffic light signal while turning and caused major traffic problems at the intersection, said Titko, who responded.

The tractor trailer, belonging to the McElroy truck line out of Cuba, Ala., was a 2006
International driven by Michael L. Bender, 35, of Robesonia, Pa., Titko said.

That investigation is ongoing and no summonses have been issued.