Dump Truck Driver Killed In Crash On Turnpike In Woodbridge

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — A serious car accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike at about 10:00 a.m. Monday, according to first responders.

State Police troopers say they responded to a motor vehicle crash at 9:57 a.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike northbound outer roadway at milepost 92.6 in Woodbridge Township. Police say a Kenworth dump truck, operated by Maximo Polanco, a 34-year-old male from Ridgefield, NJ, was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike approaching the Grover Cleveland Service Area.

An International tractor-trailer was parked on the right shoulder prior to the service area, with a Freightliner tractor parked in front of it.In the area of milepost 92.6, the Kenworth struck the rear of the International, causing the International to strike the rear of the Freightliner. After the impact, the Kenworth and the International became fully engulfed in flames.

As a result of the crash, Polanco sustained fatal injuries. The drivers of the Freightliner and International sustained minor injuries and were transported to an area hospital. The crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available.

Multiple vehicles are involved, and multiple cars on fire, according to Woodbridge firefighters who responded to the scene.

Firefighters from Port Reading and Fords responded. People may be trapped inside cars, according to social media reports.

"Members from Port Reading along with Fords are currently operating on the New Jersey Turnpike at a multi-vehicle accident with multiple vehicles on fire," the Woodbridge Professional Fire Department posted to Facebook at about 10:30 a.m. Monday.