Details Released In 5-Car Fatal Crash On Parkway

Details were released in a fatal five-car crash on the Garden State Parkway this week.

Sam Girgis, 64, of Old Bridge, died in the 7:39 p.m. crash on Wednesday after he pulled over his 2016 Dodge Caravan near Exit 135 in the southbound lanes in Clark and got out of the car, according to nj.com.

The Dodge started to reverse into the travel lanes, and a 2014 Nissan Altima hit it. A 2017 Hyundai Elantra also hit the Dodge, and a 1999 Honda Accord struck the Hyundai, according to the report.

The driver of a 2013 Toyota Corolla tried to avoid the other four cars, veered into the shoulder and was hit by the Dodge, according to the report.

The Clark entrance to the Parkway South was closed for nearly four hours Wednesday night after the five-car fatal accident around 7:30 p.m. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, state police told Patch.

Both directions were closed as a result, with the northern lanes reopening around 8:10 p.m., police said.

Related: Fatal Accident Backed Up Parkway, Clark GSP South Entrance Closed

One lane was reopened on the southbound side around 9 p.m. Wednesday, and traffic was diverted off of Exit 135, according to state police. All lanes were reopened at 11:16 p.m.

Photo: NJDOT