Man dies in fiery Turnpike collision
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR — This Sept. 11, local firefighters fought a deadly post-midnight blaze on the New Jersey Turnpike.
“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 at approximately 12:30 a.m., according to Sgt. Grossman
As a result of the collision, both vehicles “became engulfed in flames,” he said.
The incident, which occurred in the southbound lane, nearly one mile north of Exit 8, remained under investigation as of press time.
The responding state police troopers 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 UPS tractor-trailer.
Sgt. Grossman said that the UPS driver was uninjured.
The New Jersey driver of the UPS vehicle, Terence Franklin, 49, ýPage=001 Column=001 OK,0000.00þ
of Browns Mills, will not face charges, according Lt. Stephen Jones, of the state police.
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The Herald was still awaiting a statement on the crash from UPS as of press time.
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The southbound lanes of the Turnpike were closed from 12:30 a.m. to 6:15 a.m. Tuesday, said Sgt. ýPage=001 Column=004 Loose,0003.07þ
Grossman. During that time, a traffic diversion was put in place off Exit 9 for commuters to circumvent the crash north of 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.
Said East Windsor Police Chief James Monahan of the Sept. 11 crash, “At approximately 12:48 a.m., East Windsor police responded to Wycoffs Mill Road at the New Jersey Turnpike overpass to provide traffic control to fire and rescue personnel in extinguishing a truck fire on the New Jersey Turnpike.”
The police chief said, “Responding units were able to secure a position on Wycoffs Mill Road that provided fire personnel a vantage point to assist in extinguishing flames from the truck below.”
Further, “There were no reports of injury to any of the responding emergency services personnel,” Chief Monahan said on Thursday.
The police chief said that East Windsor units responding to assist on Wycoffs Mill Road included East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. 1 and ýPage=001 Column=005 OK,0000.00þ
Co. 2 and East Windsor Rescue Squad District 1 and District 2.
Chief Barry Rashkin, of East Windsor Volunteer Fire Co. No 2, said that his department responded to the accident per a mutual aid request from Hightstown Engine Company No. 1, who’s call it was.
“Our responsibility was to help fight the fire from above the accident,” Chief Rashkin said, on Wednesday, in reference to the Wycoffs Mill Road overpass above the Turnpike. “We provided three fire trucks, one of which was the master stream truck that was able to apply large volumes of water directly on to the flames.”
Chief Rashkin said, “Hightstown Engine Co. No.1 did an excellent job handling the command situation and in requesting the additional resources needed as quickly as they did . . . It was very well coordinated.”
“Hightstown has been providing fire protection on the New Jersey Turnpike since it was constructed,” said Larry Van Kirk, Hightstown’s fire chief, on Thursday.
Chief Van Kirk said the department received the fire call at 12:31 a.m. Sept. 11, and noted that Scott Jenkins, Hightstown’s deputy fire ýPage=011 Column=006 OK,0000.00þ
chief, was the first firefighter on scene and in charge of fire operations on the Turnpike.
“Our engine went out there, our rescue truck went out there” Chief Van Kirk said, adding it took approximately one hour to put out the fire.
He said that fire crews from Applegarth and Millstone Township also responded.
Still, there was another nearby Turnpike accident, by the 70-mile marker, that took place that night — involving an entrapment.
While the state police could not provide specific details as a press time, Sgt. Grossman confirmed that it involved two vehicles at approximately 1 a.m. Sept. 11.
Lt. Jones said that there were “minor injuries” suffered.
“It wasn’t serious,” said Sgt. Grossman.
“We responded to that incident,” along with Jamesburg and central Monroe, said Chief Van Kirk.
Both post-midnight accidents on the Turnpike brought out approximately 60 area firefighters to help those in need.
As far as responding to calls on Sept. 11, Chief Van Kirk said, “We don’t think about it. That’s what we do. There’s nothing else I can say . . . we don’t hesitate.”
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