Human Interest Toll Worker Called Out of Work Hours Before Garbage Truck Crashed into Plaza “I had just like a really like, bad gut feeling that something was going to happen,” said toll collector Jessica Daley By Charna Flam Charna Flam Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 16, 2024 08:03PM EDT Close Garden State Parkway sign, New Jersey. Photo: Getty A New Jersey woman went with her gut instincts, which may have saved her life. On the morning of Friday, April 12, toll collector Jessica Daley called out of work because she felt something bad was going to occur, and she was right. Just a few hours later, a garbage truck crashed into the toll plaza and the booth she mans on the Garden State Parkway, reports NBC New York, New Jersey News 12 and NJ 101.5. “I had just like a really like, bad gut feeling that something was going to happen. Like something terrible was going to happen,” she told NBC New York. “I actually had a feeling that I was going to get in a car accident. And it was so strong, that I actually called out and I literally never call out of work.” Teen Dies After Car Crash While Heading Home from Work: ‘Wasn’t Much More They Could Do,’ Says Dad Then, around 6:15 a.m., garbage truck driver Kenneth Jamison, 44, crashed into the toll booth, per NJ 101.5. After the garbage truck struck the toll booth — that Daley typically mans — the debris crashed into the booth and a nearby Chevrolet pickup truck. Because Daley called out, toll booth attendant Megan Russo, 43, filled in. Russo was injured and hospitalized after the crash, as was the garbage truck driver, Jamison. The pickup truck driver was not injured. A spokesman for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority told NBC New York that Russo returned home from the hospital that same day. Stock image of a car pulling into toll plaza - Garden State Parkway. Getty Daley was informed of the accident, and she shared with NBC New York that she cried after receiving the news. “My immediate response honestly, I dropped to my knees and just started crying. I was praying for everybody involved and thanking God that I had that feeling to call out,” said Daley. “As of recently, I started getting a lot closer to God in the last like three months... I believe 100% that was God looking out for me,” she added. Her mother, Jennifer Daley, also expressed gratitude for her daughter's trust in her instincts that morning. “I think her gut instinct was an angel or a premonition from a guardian angel telling her not to go in to protect her,” said Jennifer, per NBC New York. “It's hard to feel so happy that my daughter wasn't there, and at the same time, feel heartbreak for the ones that were involved.” Teacher and Child Killed After School Bus Full of Kids Crashes Into Dump Truck in New Jersey The lanes were closed after the crash but reopened late that evening, per New Jersey News 12. Jessica returned to work the following day, per NBC New York The crash is currently under investigation, per NBC New York. Aerial shot of the Garden State Parkway road over the Raritan River. Getty Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Representatives for New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Turnpike Authority did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Tuesday.