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EAST WINDSOR: Man dies in fiery Turnpike collision

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
      EAST WINDSOR — Firefighters responded to a deadly fire on the New Jersey Turnpike at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sept. 11.
   ”It was a fatality,” said state police spokesman Sgt. Adam Grossman, of the Office of Public Information, on Wednesday.
   Phillip Frey, 33, of Toms River died after the truck he was driving rear ended a UPS tractor-trailer.
   As a result of the collision, both vehicles “became engulfed in flames,” Sgt. Grossman said.
   The incident, which occurred in the southbound lane near mile post 68, remained under investigation as of press time.
   The responding state police were from the Cranbury barracks.
   Sgt. Grossman said that the preliminary investigation showed that a “box truck” came upon slower moving traffic in the center lane when it then struck the rear of an UPS tractor-trailer.
   Sgt. Grossman said that the UPS driver was uninjured.
   Further, the New Jersey driver of the UPS vehicle, Terence Franklin, 49, of Browns Mills, will not face charges, according Lt. Stephen Jones, of the Office of Public Information, on Sept. 12.
   The Herald was still awaiting a statement on the crash from UPS as of press time.
   After the crash, the southbound lanes of the Turnpike were closed from 12:30 a.m. to 6:15 a.m., said Sgt. Grossman. During that time, a traffic diversion was put in place off exit 9 for commuters to circumvent the crash near exit 8.
   He noted that Mr. Frey was pronounced dead at the scene although, he said, that the exact cause of death was unknown.
   Sgt. Grossman stated that fire crews from Cranbury, East Windsor and Hightstown fire departments responded to the post-midnight blaze.
   The Herald learned that tankers from all over the area were used to assist in putting out the fire of the UPS tractor-trailer and truck.
   Also on Sept. 11, near the 70-mile marker, it was reported to the Herald that another accident took place southbound on the Turnpike — causing an entrapment at 1 a.m.
   While the state police could not provide specific details as a press time, Sgt. Grossman confirmed that it involved two vehicles.
    Lt. Jones said that there were “minor injuries” suffered in that crash.
   ”It wasn’t serious,” said Sgt. Grossman.