Whiting Driver Had Medical Episode In Tractor-Trailer Crash: Police

BERKELEY, NJ — The driver of a tractor-trailer carrying propane that crashed into a Route 9 shopping plaza in Berkeley Township suffered a medical episode before the crash Wednesday morning, police said.

Todd Giglio, 57, of Whiting, was heading south on Atlantic City Boulevard when he had a medical episode, police said. Giglio was taken to a hospital for further evaluation, police said.

The crash happened about 7 a.m., police said. Giglio was driving south on Atlantic City Boulevard (also known as Route 9) when he had the episode, police said.

His truck ran the red light at Frederick Drive and hit a Hyundai Tuscon sitting at the light in the northbound lane head-on, pushing the Hyundai into a telephone pole, police said. The driver was treated for chest pain but refused to go to the hospital, they said.

The tractor-trailer then jumped the curb into the Berkeley Plaza property. It hit a Chevy box truck used for advertisements, knocking it over, then drove over a curbed median, taking out several bushes before hitting a Jeep Laredo and a Ford Expedition that were parked in front of Pet Supplies Plus, police said.

After hitting the Jeep, the tractor-trailer was pushed toward Chicken Holiday and jumped the curb, crashing into the restaurant's entrance, police said.

The building suffered extensive damage, police said, and Chicken Holiday, Acme Draft House, Lee Nails and Pet Supplies Plus were deemed structurally unsafe and are closed for the time being.

The crash is under investigation by Ptl. Lagreca of the Berkeley Township Traffic Safety Bureau.