Dump truck driver killed after collision with tractor-trailer on New Jersey turnpike

A dump truck driver was killed after an accident involving four trucks on the New Jersey turnpike, causing a blaze and tying up traffic for several hours.

The accident happened Monday around 1:30 p.m. and set off a chain of accidents involving four trucks total, and caused one tractor-trailer to catch on fire.

Police said that the dump truck driver, Claudio Gavelik, 47 of Old Bridge died on the scene.

The tractor-trailer driver was also injured, although his condition is unknown, after his rig jack-knifed and caught fire.

The drivers of the two other trucks were not injured.

Workers at a local factory said they felt the impact of the crash shake their building. They could hear multiple explosions as the fuel tanks caught on fire.

Police are still unsure what cause the accident. They closed the turnpike for hours as they worked to clear the scene. Traffic was backed up for close to 18 miles.

Accidents involving large commercial trucks can cause fatal or serious injuries in addition to extensive property damage. Truck accident attorneys have special experience in dealing with these types of collisions and are critical to cases of this nature. The victims of these accidents can retain a truck accident attorney to seek compensation from the driver responsible for another person’s injuries, death or property damage.

People who have lost loved ones or incurred serious injury often find they will receive maximum compensation when they retain an accomplished truck accident lawyer.