A single-vehicle crash claimed the life of a driver early Sunday morning, forcing an hours-long closure of a major local highway.

The Marlboro Township Police Department received multiple 911 calls at approximately 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, reporting a serious collision on Route 18 southbound near State Highway 79.

Upon arriving at the scene, emergency responders located a black 2018 Acura MDX that had veered off the road and collided with a tree. Police confirmed that the driver, who was the vehicle's sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene. The individual’s identity is currently being withheld pending official confirmation and results from the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Due to the severity of the wreck and the subsequent investigation, Route 18 southbound was completely shut down to traffic for nearly five hours, finally reopening at approximately 5:30 a.m.