Driver killed, dozen hurt in bus, tractor-trailer crash on NJ Turnpike

A bus traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C., collided with a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike on Wednesday, killing the bus driver and injuring about a dozen others, state police said.

Two people were hospitalized in serious condition following Wednesday's crash, which occurred shortly after noon in the southbound lanes in South Brunswick.

The bus and at least one tractor-trailer were involved in the accident. The cause remained under investigation.

Fifty-three people were on the bus when the crash occurred, said Dan Ronan, a spokesman for the American Bus Association.

Of those who were hurt, most sustained only minor injuries. But the driver, whose name has not been disclosed, was flown from the scene via helicopter and died a short time later at a hospital.

He was 52 and had been a professional driver for 11 years, Ronan said. Ronan said his medical certification was current and that he had no violations on his commercial license.

The bus belonged to Virginia-based DC Trails Inc., which does sightseeing tours in Washington. It left Brooklyn at about 11 a.m. Wednesday and made a stop in Manhattan before heading to Washington, Ronan said.

The accident caused extensive delays on the turnpike and nearby local roads.