A serious crash involving a tractor-trailer and dump truck shut down a busy area highway for nearly five hours this morning.
The tractor-trailer jackknifed during the wreck in the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike just before Exit 2 - Route 322 in Woolwich Township around 3:30 a.m. Thursday.
The dump truck was pushed off the roadway and into the woods.
A medical helicopter transported the dump truck driver to Cooper University Hospital after he suffered undisclosed injuries from being stuck in the wreckage, according to Gloucester County dispatchers.
All southbound lanes were closed from Exit 4 to Exit 2. Northbound traffic continued to move during the investigation and cleanup.
NBC10's Jillian Mele suggested using I-295 as an alternate route.
As of 5:30 a.m. the lane closures continued however some big rigs and cars caught in the backup began to get by.
Four hours after the wreck, however, the road remained closed as crews worked to clear the scene.
Rain and a second accident before Exit 4 added to the traffic headache.
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The roadway finally reopened around 8:30 a.m.
