Turnpike lanes reopen following fatal crash

A 16-mile stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike has reopened 12 hours after a fatal crash involving a dump truck caused hours of traffic delays. The accident closed the highway in both directions from

News 12 Staff

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Aug 5, 2015, 6:36 AM

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Updated 3,472 days ago

A 16-mile stretch of the New Jersey Turnpike has reopened 12 hours after a fatal crash involving a dump truck caused hours of traffic delays.

The accident closed the highway in both directions from exits 10 to 14. Traffic was backed up for miles after the accident.

There were significant traffic delays on the roads and highways surrounding the Turnpike, including the Garden State Parkway and routes 1 and 9 as motorists attempted to avoid the area.

According to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, power lines beneath the Wood Avenue overpass have been deactivated and must be removed before lanes can be reopened.

PSEG crews repaired a power line under the Wood Avenue Bridge that crosses over the Turnpike, as well as checked on gas lines in the area. The accident occurred under the bridge.

The bridge itself was closed for about four hours following the accident, but has since reopened.

New Jersey State Police have confirmed the truck driver in the crash has died. His identity has not been released.

State Police Capt. Stephen Jones says a fire ignited after a dump truck struck the Wood Avenue overpass at around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.