Multi-vehicle wreck on N.J. Turnpike turns deadly

CRANBURY, N.J. - Southbound truck lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike have reopened nearly 12 hours after a pileup involving 40 or more vehicles left at least one person dead and dozens injured.

Police told CBS New York there were multiple crashes involving 40 vehicles on both the inner and outer southbound lanes of the turnpike, including tractor-trailers, box trucks and a fully loaded tour bus.

Police said 52-year-old Darryl Williams of Bordentown was trapped in his Toyota Corolla as a result of a chain reaction crash involving 13 vehicles on the outer roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident occurred just before 9:15 p.m. Monday during a mix of rain and snow flurries and below-freezing temperatures in Cranbury.

State Police say the vehicles involved in the crash include several cars, four tractor-trailers, two box trucks and a fully loaded bus.

State police say many people were injured.

The crash is under investigation. The agency that manages the turnpike says a tractor-trailer jackknifed on the roadway near a service area.

Southbound car lanes reopened earlier.