Two women died and a third person was seriously injured Saturday night, Oct. 24, after two vehicles struck the back of a tractor-trailer on the northbound Garden State Parkway in Toms River, NJ.com reported, citing New Jersey State Police.
The tractor-trailer driver suffered minor injuries.
Troopers were called to the scene at 9:42 p.m. near milepost 87, NJ.com reported. New Jersey 101.5 said the trouble began around 9:40 p.m. north of the Toms River toll plaza, citing State Police Trooper Christopher Postorino.
How the collisions unfolded
A Genesis broke down in the center lane of the northbound Parkway, according to Postorino. A tractor-trailer stopped behind the disabled car, NJ.com reported.
Caryn J. Coon, 22, of the Forked River section of Lacey Township, was driving a Honda sedan when it hit the back of the stopped truck. The Honda then left the right side of the roadway and went down a grassy embankment. Coon was killed.
A Ford SUV traveling behind Coon’s car then struck the rear of the same tractor-trailer, Daily Voice reported. Its driver, a 32-year-old woman from New York City, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
The second woman who died
The SUV’s front seat passenger, Lauren J. Maturo, 32, of Syosset, New York, also died in the crash, according to NJ.com. Maturo and Coon are the two women killed.
The New Jersey 101.5 report carries a photo credited to Exit 82 Scanner News. It shows two flatbed trucks at the scene on the northbound side north of the toll plaza.
Fifth deadly Parkway crash in Ocean County this year
Jersey Shore Online (jerseyshoreonline.com) described the collisions as the fifth fatal Garden State Parkway crash in Ocean County this year, citing State Police.
It also reported that the collisions happened in the northbound lanes near the Toms River toll plaza, after the Genesis became disabled in the center lane.
The crash involved three vehicles in all, counting the tractor-trailer, and the three people who were hurt or killed were in the two passenger vehicles that hit it from behind.
For more reporting on regional incidents, see crime and public safety and South Jersey local news on SNJ Today.
What is known about the investigation
The crash remains under investigation, NJ.com reported, citing State Police. Police have not released information beyond the sequence of events and the condition of those involved.
New Jersey State Police is leading the investigation.