TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash snarls New Jersey Turnpike

Turnpike Authority spokesman Joe Orlando says traffic is backed up about 19 miles because the northbound truck lanes are closed near Interchange 13 in Elizabeth. Orlando says he's never seen anything like it in recent years.

The Associated Press

9/30/2009

ELIZABETH, N.J. — An accident on the New Jersey Turnpike has created a commuter nightmare Wednesday.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Joe Orlando says traffic is backed up about 19 miles because the northbound truck lanes are closed near Interchange 13 in Elizabeth.

That stretch of toll road is closed while state police investigate what happened. Details remain sketchy. It happened around 6:45 a.m. and Orlando says at least one person was critically injured.

Orlando says delays are spilling over to the Garden State Parkway and other highways and local roads.

NJ Transit trains are honoring bus passes.

Orlando says he's never seen anything like it in recent years.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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