Burlington County, NJ — April 16, 2025, Thomas Guzzi was killed in a truck accident at about 4 p.m. on the New Jersey Turnpike near Mansfield Township.
Authorities said a GMC Terrain was headed south when it crashed into the back end of a Freightliner semi-truck near mile marker 49.2.
GMC driver Thomas Guzzi, 72, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Burlington County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
Crashes involving passenger vehicles and the rear of a semi-truck almost always raise serious questions about visibility and stopping distance, especially on high-speed corridors like the New Jersey Turnpike. While rear-end collisions often lead to assumptions about fault, the legal analysis in cases like this is far more complicated, particularly when a commercial vehicle is involved.
One of the first things investigators should examine is whether the trailer was properly marked and visible. Federal regulations require reflective tape along the sides and rear of trailers for exactly this reason: to make them visible at a distance, especially during dusk or in variable lighting conditions. If any part of that marking was missing, obscured or improperly maintained, it could have made the back of the trailer harder to see and react to in time.
Another factor is whether the semi-truck was moving at the time of the crash, slowing down for traffic or stopped altogether. A truck that comes to a stop in an active travel lane — whether because of congestion, mechanical failure or an obstacle ahead — is expected to make that stop as safe and predictable as possible. That includes using hazard lights and ensuring brake lights are functioning properly. Investigators will want to verify whether the truck driver followed these protocols, and whether the stop was justified under the circumstances.
At highway speeds, even small misjudgments can have catastrophic consequences. But that doesn’t mean every rear-end collision is simply the fault of the trailing driver. When a fatal crash involves the back end of a commercial truck, the investigation needs to focus on whether the truck was adequately visible, lawfully positioned and safely operated at the time of the crash. Because when the outcome is fatal, the law demands more than assumptions: it demands answers based on facts, evidence and a clear understanding of what could have been done differently.
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