Tractor Trailer Driver Charged in Fatal Bergen Turnpike Crash

A tractor trailer driver who was on his cell phone has been charged in a June fatal chain-reaction crash on the New Jersey Turnpike in Bergen County that killed one person and injured several others, the New Jersey State Police said Friday.

Henry Flores, 55, of Union City, has been charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree hindering apprehension. He has also been issued summonses for reckless driving and improper use of a cell phone.

Jeffrey Humphrey, 43, of Harrison, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred at about 5 p.m. on June 9 on the southbound side of the turnpike at milepost 114.6 in Carlstadt.

According to State Police, Flores was driving his 1996 Kenworth tractor trailer and on his cell phone at the time of the crash. Flores was in the left lane when he failed to slow down and crashed into the vehicle in front of him that was slowing with traffic, State Police said.

The impact caused a chain-reaction accident that killed Humphrey and injured several others, State Police said.

“All drivers must understand that illegally talking or texting while driving can have tragic results,” Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said. “For everyone’s safety on the road, distracted driving will not be tolerated by law enforcement.”

Flores was arrested at his Union City home without incident and has been lodged in the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $50,000 full cash bail.

“His usage of the cellphone is still part of the ongoing investigation and further determinations on whether his use of the cellphone did cause it will be discussed in court proceedings,” State Police Lt. Brian Polite told NorthJersey.com.