I-78 West Reopens: 1 Dead, 1 Child Hospitalized In Fatal Crash

CLINTON, NJ — All westbound lanes on I-78 have reopened as of 2:15 p.m. following a fatal crash where one person was killed and child was injured Friday morning, New Jersey State Police Lt. Theodore Schafer said.

There were two separate crashes that caused the closure of all westbound lanes in Clinton Township.

The first crash was reported at 4 a.m. on Friday at milepost 17.4 in Hunterdon County where a single tractor trailer hauling two trailers rolled over onto its side causing all lanes of travel to close, Schafer said.

The second crash, which was fatal, was reported at 8:48 a.m. at milepost 18.3 where a single passenger car crashed into the back of a tractor trailer, Schafer said.

The driver was reportedly killed and a child in the backseat was hospitalized. The identity of the victim is not being released yet as the next of kin is to be notified, Schafer said.

Traffic was backed up for 5 miles in the westbound direction.

Additionally, Schafer said drivers "should expect very heavy traffic on the eastbound side due to rubbernecking."

Drivers should plan an alternate route.

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