Three people affiliated with a non-profit organization were killed Friday morning when a truck and three other vehicles collided on Route 1 in Middlesex County, authorities and company representatives said.
The fiery wreck involving a tractor trailer, a van and two other vehicles occurred about 9:40 a.m. on the busy highway near the Ridge Road intersection in South Brunswick, according to township police.
The tractor trailer struck a Sprinter van at the intersection, which caused the van to hit two other vehicles, the South Brunswick Police said in a release. The van and the tractor-trailer traveled another 100 yards north of the intersection and caught fire, police said.
All lanes and the shoulder were closed on Route 1 North and all southbound lanes were also closed as of early Friday afternoon, except for the shoulder north of Ridge Road.
Route 1 was not expected to reopen until 10 p.m., police said.
South Brunswick Deputy Police Chief Jim Ryan advised motorists to avoid the area as first responders and investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies, including New Jersey State Police, were at the scene.
ABC7 in New York reported that the three victims were all occupants of a mini-van and said the truck that was involved in the crash was carrying pre-fabricated walls. Video footage from the scene showed a black and yellow sign fastened to the back of the truck saying “Oversize Load.”
The news station also said flames from the fire were so intense that part of the highway pavement was scorched and needs to be repaired.
A representative of Community Options Inc. confirmed the three victims of the crash were inside a transport van occupied by a staff member who was driving the vehicle and two people with disabilities who were passengers. The company, based in Princeton, provides “housing and employment opportunities for people with disabilities,” according to its website.
“Today Community Options lost three souls to a tragic accident on Route 1 and Ridge Road,” Robert Stack, founder, president and chief executive officer of the non-profit group, said in a statement Friday afternoon.
“Our heart goes out to the two people with severe disabilities who we’ve supported and to the staff person,” Stack said. “Our prayers are with the families and all of their loved ones, and we are crestfallen and deeply saddened by this horrific event.”
Police have not identified the three people who died in the crash as investigators said they were notifying their next of kin.
“This is a tragic day, as three young adults have lost their lives in this horrific crash. To the parents, family, and friends our hearts go out to you,” South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in a statement. “Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers tonight.”
Three people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 1 in South Brunswick Friday morning, according to police. One of the vehicles was a large truck carrying pre-fab walls, ABC7 in New York reported.ABC 7 New York
Stories by Anthony G. Attrino
NJ Advance Media staff writers Len Melisurgo and Chris Sheldon contributed to this report.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.