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Crime & Safety

Toms River Man Dies in Turnpike Accident

NJ Turnpike southbound lanes through Hightstown and Cranbury were closed for several hours as the result of a fatal accident. All exits are now open.

A box truck driver, Phillip Frey, 33, of Toms River, was pronounced dead at the scene following a tractor trailer accident and resulting fire on the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike near Exit 8 in East Windsor around 12:26 a.m. Tuesday.

There were no other injuries reported.

State Trooper Adam Grossman said Frey struck the rear of a UPS Mack tractor semi trailer. As a result, the box truck and the rear of the UPS truck were engulfed in flames.

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Hightstown, Cranbury, and East Windsor Fire Departments responded to the scene.

During the accident investigation and clean-up, police set up a diversion from the turnpike for southbound traffic up to Exit 9 during the early morning until about 6:15 a.m. Drivers were advised to avoid the Turnpike in area. Many were trapped between Exits 8 and 9 for several hours and there was extensive traffic throughout the area.

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The Turnpike has since reopened.

Police are still investigating the accident and no further information is available at this time.

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