New Jersey State Police are investigating a fatal chain-reaction crash on Interstate 78 that left one man dead and another person seriously injured. The crash occurred around 4:45 p.m. near milepost 7.8, where a Peterbilt semi-truck was reportedly parked on the right shoulder. According to authorities, a Ford F-150 towing a camper was traveling eastbound when it was struck by an unknown vehicle, forcing the pickup onto the shoulder and into the parked semi. The pickup’s driver, 78-year-old Alan Smith of Nova Scotia, Canada, was killed in the collision. His passenger, 78-year-old Patricia Harvey, was airlifted to an area hospital. The driver of the unidentified vehicle which allegedly struck the Ford left the scene and has not yet been located.
Whenever I see a story like this, I think about how easily crucial details can be missed—especially in hit-and-run cases involving multiple vehicles. Since one vehicle left the scene, there are many questions that are left unanswered.
Was the Semi-Truck Properly Parked?
A key question in this case is whether the semi-truck was legally and safely parked on the shoulder. Commercial drivers are typically prohibited from stopping on the shoulder except in emergencies, and when they do they are required to use hazard lights, reflective triangles, and other safety measures to alert approaching traffic.
Investigators will likely review whether these precautions were in place and whether the truck was on the shoulder for legitimate reasons. If not, its role in the damage done to the victims may need further consideration.
What Role Did the Unidentified Vehicle Play?
The hit-and-run driver who initiated the crash has not yet been identified, but their involvement is critical. If preliminary reports have their facts straight the vehicle allegedly struck the Ford F-150, causing it to veer off the road and collide with the semi-truck. Investigators will need to locate this vehicle and determine why its driver fled the scene—did they just panic, or was it something else? Surveillance footage, witness statements, and debris at the scene could help law enforcement learn more and identify the runaway vehicle.
What Evidence Should Be Examined?
To understand how this crash unfolded, investigators should review dashcam footage from the semi-truck and Ford if either is available. They should also obtain surveillance from nearby traffic cameras and interview anyone who saw some or all of the collision occur. The Engine Control Module (ECM) data from the semi might also provide information on how long it was parked and whether the truck moved at any point. Accident reconstruction experts will also likely measure skid marks, debris placement, and vehicle damage to pinpoint the sequence of impacts and identify the vehicle that left the scene.
Why It’s Important to Ask These Questions
Crashes involving multiple vehicles, especially when one flees the scene, are often more complex than they appear. In my experience, a complete investigation can uncover details that would otherwise be missed. Understanding whether the truck was parked safely and what led the unidentified driver to crash into the Ford F-150 is an important step in providing answers to those affected by the accident.