Fatal truck accident shuts Route 18 in Wednesday morning traffic mess

An accident involving a container truck closed Route 18 for most of the morning commute.

The accident on the northbound side took place just before 6 a.m., according to Colts Neck Police, who shut down both sides of the road between Route 34 and Route 537. Southbound traffic was being detoured onto Route 34.

Shortly after 9 a.m., one southbound lane was opened, but all northbound lanes remained closed.

PIX 11 helicopter footage of the accident shows debris from a container that fell off a truck spread all over the northbound lanes and the median. The cab of the truck can be seen several yards down the road on its side.

CBS New York reported the crash was a fatal one, though it's unclear from early reports how many people were injured or killed.

This is a breaking story. Check back for additional details.