Two people died in a fiery three-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Woolwich Township, New Jersey Monday evening.
Officials say two vehicles collided in the southbound lanes of the Turnpike near Back Creek Road (milepost 12.6) around 5:25 p.m. One of the vehicles caught fire and two people were killed.
Police said a driver from Maine stopped his Toyota Sienna in the left lanes for a posted closure. A Point Pleasant, New Jersey man then stopped his Volkswagen Passat behind the Sienna, said state police.
A Toyota Avalon then failed to stop and struck the Volkswagen, causing the Volkswagen to strike the Sienna and a concrete barrier before bursting into flames, said police.
Passengers, Rob Critelli, 21, and Christopher Calderone, 20, both were trapped in the Volkswagen and died, said police. The drivers of all three cars were taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
All southbound lanes were closed for several hours due to the crash. The lanes reopened around 10 p.m.
Police didn't immediately charge anyone in the crash.
