Couple From Hackettstown Killed In Rt. 80 Crash: Police

MOUNT OLIVE, NJ — A couple from Hackettstown were killed in a Wednesday afternoon crash on Route 80 in Mount Olive, New Jersey State Police said.

Driver John Rodriguez, 52, and his wife, Dawn Rodriguez, 49, both from Hackettstown, were killed when their Honda Ridgeline was struck by a dump truck on Route 80.

Their daughter, Selena, confirmed their deaths in an emotional Facebook post Wednesday night.

"For those of you complaining about the traffic please think twice about how you feel angry from a 30 minute delay. My mom and dad do not get to come home tonight because of that accident. Please be mindful of what you say," she wrote.

In a second post, Rodriguez remembered her parents as loving, caring people:

To my mommy, thank you for being my best friend. I will miss you’re amazing advice, the way you take care of me when I’m sick, the smell of your perfume, and most of all the way it felt to get a hug from you. It made all pain go away but this time I can’t get one. To my daddy, thank you for being my protector. I’ll miss all your crazy stories and the way you lit up a room when you walked in. I’ll always be daddy’s little girl.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. near Exit 25, Sgt. Jeff Flynn said. A dump truck traveling east had a tire blow out, causing it to drive through the guard rail and across the center median into the westbound lanes, Flynn said.

The dump truck struck the Rodriguez's car before overturning, Flynn said.

Several lanes of the highway were closed through the rush hour last night as an investigation took place.

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