The scene of a multi-vehicle accident that closed the New Jersey Turnpike Monday, February 9, near Cranbury, NJ A highway pileup involving 15 or more vehicles including box trucks, tractor-trailers and a bus on Monday night left at least one person dead and several others injured. (Photo: AP)
CRANBURY, NJ (AP) — State police believe icy conditions played a role in a series of crashes on the New Jersey Turnpike involving 40 vehicles that left one person dead and several others injured.
The victim is identified as 52-year-old Darryl Williams of Bordentown.
State police say the accidents began just before 9:15 pm Monday during a mix of rain and snow flurries and below-freezing temperatures in Cranbury.
State police say two-tractor trailers obstructed the road when they lost control in the truck lanes as they attempted to avoid earlier crashes. State police say that triggered a chain-reaction crash involving 13 vehicles in which Williams became entrapped in his car.
Meanwhile, 21 vehicles were involved in crashes in the car lanes.
State Police say none of the injuries is considered life-threatening.
