MIDDLESEX TWP — A trucker who drove through a red light at a busy Route 8 intersection — hitting and killing a motorcyclist this summer — has been charged with homicide by vehicle.

According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday by Middlesex Township police, the flat-bed truck had at least two brake violations.

“If he would have conducted a proper pre-check of the vehicle, he would not have driven that truck on the road,” said police Officer-in-Charge Randy Ruediger.

Instead, court records allege the truck driver, 37-year-old Michael Burns of Houston, Washington County, allegedly told investigators that at about 2:45 p.m. on July 26, he was driving the 29,120-pound truck and trailing an 18,800-pound air compressor west on Glade Mill Road.

At about 300 yards from the intersection with Route 8, Burns reportedly told investigators, he tried downshifting from fourth to third gear and was “pumping the brakes ... and not able to stop.”

Burns, in a later interview with investigators, reportedly said he signaled with his horn and realized he was going to be hit by a dump truck. But he allegedly told investigators he “didn’t realize he and the motorcycle collided until he stopped his truck and ran back to the scene.”

Witnesses said the motorcyclist, 64-year-old Dale T. Major of Middlesex Township, had a green signal when he drove the 2013 Victory motorcycle into the intersection, according to the police complaint.

After the collision, Majors was transported to Butler Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead of blunt force trauma, according to the police complaint.

Officials previously said Majors had been wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

After the collision, investigators interviewed Burns and several witnesses, mapped out the intersection and inspected the truck and compressor, according to the police complaint.

According to the court records, investigators determined the truck’s right rear brake was a half-inch out of adjustment which, according to state code, “would cause the unit to be put in an ‘out of service’ condition.” And the trailing system did not have a functioning braking system attached to the carrier.

The criminal affidavit further alleges Burns did not conduct a proper pre-trip inspection.

In addition to homicide by vehicle, Burns is charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, a traffic signal violation and three braking violations.

Burns, who has not yet been arraigned, is expected to voluntarily report to officials later this week.