Woodbridge, NJ (March 11, 2026) – A 34-year-old man from Ridgefield, New Jersey, died on Monday, March 9, after a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound outer roadway of the New Jersey Turnpike in Woodbridge Township.
State Police reported that the crash occurred around 9:57 a.m. near milepost 92.6, just before the Grover Cleveland Service Area. Officials said a Kenworth dump truck, operated by Maximo Polanco, struck the rear of a parked International tractor-trailer, which then collided with a Freightliner tractor also parked on the shoulder.
The impact caused the Kenworth and the International to catch fire. Polanco sustained fatal injuries at the scene, while the drivers of the Freightliner and International were taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Fire crews from Woodbridge, Port Reading, and Fords responded to the scene, battling flames and helping ensure no additional people were trapped. Officials said multiple vehicles were involved, and the situation required extensive firefighting efforts.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased.
Why Rear-End Crashes Involving Parked Trucks Can Be Deadly
Crashes involving parked large trucks are often severe due to the vehicles’ size and weight. A moving truck striking a stationary tractor-trailer can generate a massive force, potentially causing fires and catastrophic vehicle damage.
Highways like the Turnpike carry heavy traffic at high speeds. When a vehicle strikes a parked truck, the resulting collision can send other vehicles into each other, creating chain-reaction accidents.
Truck cabins and trailers contain fuel and materials that can ignite in a severe impact, increasing the risk to drivers. Emergency responders often need to use specialized equipment and water streams to control fires and safely extract trapped occupants.
