2 dead, 3 seriously injured after early morning crash with dump truck

Two people were killed and three were seriously injured in a crash with a dump truck early Saturday morning in South Jersey.

The accident happened around 3:30 a.m. on the northbound lanes of Route 42 near Route 55 in Deptford, and shut down traffic for more than four hours, according to New Jersey State Police Sgt. Lawrence Peele

Peele said, a Nissan Sentra was entering Route 42 from Route 55 when it hit the dump truck, which was carrying asphalt, and caused the truck to overturn into the left lane.

A Chevy Suburban, driven by 27-year-old Thomas Martinez-Cruz, then struck the overturned dump truck, according to Peele. Martinez-Cruz was ejected from the SUV.

Reina Ortiz-Rodriguez, 21, who was a passenger in the back seat of the Suburban, and Martinez-Cruz were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to Peele. Both were from Philadelphia.

Two other passengers in the SUV were taken to Cooper University Hospital, along with the truck driver. All remain in serious condition.

The driver of the Nissan was not injured.

The accident is still under investigation.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook

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