Several Injured in 5-Car Crash Near NY/NJ Border

Several people were injured Sunday evening - at least one critically - in a five-car, chain-reaction crash on the New York Extension of the Garden State Parkway, according to New York State Police.

The crash occurred at about 5 p.m. on the on the northbound side approximately a mile from the New York/New Jersey state line, snarling Thanksgiving weekend traffic Sunday evening for hours as authorities investigated.

Two cars were on the side of the thruway at the time, having been involved in a minor accident, when a car driven by Tracy Walsh, 39, of Sommerville, MA, failed to stop in time as traffic was slowing nearby, according to state police.

Walsh “struck the rear of Vehicle 2. Vehicle 2 was pushed into Vehicle 3. Vehicle 3 was pushed into Vehicle 4. Vehicle 4 was pushed into Vehicle 5.”

State police said Walsh “sustained head and chest injuries and was transported to Nyack Hospital. Her passengers, David Olson, age 27 and Sidney Hamilton, age 28 sustained back and head injuries respectively and were treated at Nyack Hospital.”

The operator of Vehicle 2, Peyman Samimi, 46, of Chestnut Ridge, NY, “sustained serious spinal injuries, and was critically injured in the accident. He remains at Nyack Hospital.”

The operator of Vehicle 3, John Zoppi, 52, of Shelton, CT, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital complaining of leg pain. “ His passengers, Gary Puzliese, age 27, and Marc Zoppi, age 18, were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, both with back pain,” said state police.

The operators of Vehicle 4 and 5, Philip Spohn, 36, of Union, NJ, and Beth Scott, 50, of Laurel, MD, respectively, were uninjured.

Patch file photo.