NEWARK, Essex County, N.J., Sept. 26, 2026 — Two tractor-trailers collided on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike in Newark on Friday night, September 25, trapping one driver inside a cab and sending two people to the hospital.
The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. near mile marker 104.7 on the southbound side, close to Exit 14, according to RLS Media. The collision reportedly left one driver pinned inside one of the trucks.
Firefighters arriving at the scene began an extrication operation right away and freed the trapped driver shortly before 9:30 p.m., the outlet reported. EMS crews took two patients to University Hospital in Newark. Their injuries were initially described as non-life-threatening.
New Jersey State Police responded to the scene as part of the emergency response. What led the two trucks to collide has not been determined, and the crash remains under investigation. No charges or citations have been disclosed.
Traffic backed up in the southbound lanes while crews worked to clear the wreckage, causing delays for drivers passing through the area.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
When Multi-Truck Crashes on Highways Like the Turnpike Tend to Happen
Crashes between two tractor-trailers cluster at certain hours more than others. Nighttime hours, particularly after 9 p.m. and into the early morning, see a mix of fatigued drivers finishing long routes, reduced visibility, and lower traffic volume that can tempt some drivers into higher speeds. Heavy commercial corridors like the New Jersey Turnpike carry a steady flow of overnight freight traffic, putting more large trucks on the road exactly when driver alertness tends to dip.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 76 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred on weekdays in 2023. That pattern points to work schedules and commercial delivery timelines as a factor, since weekday freight volume is far higher than on weekends.
Weather and lighting also change the picture. Wet pavement, fog, or glare from oncoming headlights can shorten the distance a driver has to react, especially when one truck is following another closely at highway speed. Investigators looking at any two-truck crash typically examine following distance, speed, driver hours of service, and mechanical condition before drawing conclusions about cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are a truck's blind spots, and why do they matter?
Tractor-trailers have large blind spots directly behind them, along both sides, and just in front of the cab. A car or another vehicle lingering in one of these zones may be invisible to the truck driver, which can contribute to lane-change and merging collisions.
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck's trailer during a collision, usually in a rear-end or side-impact scenario. These crashes can be especially severe because the trailer's height may not align with a car's safety structure.
What typically causes large-truck accidents?
Common factors include driver fatigue, following too closely, mechanical failure such as brake or tire problems, poor weather conditions, and blind-spot lane changes. Investigators usually review multiple factors rather than a single cause.
How can drivers share the road safely with large trucks?
Staying out of a truck's blind spots, allowing extra following distance, and avoiding sudden lane changes near trucks all help reduce the chance of a collision, since trucks need more time and space to stop or maneuver.
What to Do After a Tractor-Trailer Crash in Newark, NJ
If you're involved in or witness a crash involving a large truck, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since some injuries from a collision don't show symptoms immediately.
Take note of what you observed, including the time, location, and any details about the vehicles involved, and get contact information for other drivers and witnesses if you're able to safely. File a report with police at the scene or as soon as possible afterward, and keep any documentation from medical visits or vehicle damage assessments for your records.
