It happened just before 2:30 a.m. Friday at milepost 163.4 in Paramus.
State Police say a Honda sedan was traveling north in the southbound lanes when it collided head-on with a Toyota SUV.
Both drivers were killed. A 20-year-old passenger in the Toyota was taken to an area hospital with injuries described as moderate.
Police identified the driver of the Toyota as 55-year-old Sunday T. Ogundare and the driver of the Honda as 38-year-old Diana J. Cruz. Both were from Newark.
"I spoke with him like 2 nights ago and we laughed and talked about what is taking place in Nigeria," said Timothy Adedoyin, Ogundare's friend. "I told him I would see him this weekend. Unfortunately, that was the last time I was going to talk to him."
State police added they are not sure how Cruz got on the parkway heading in the wrong direction or whether drugs or alcohol were involved.
"This is a tragedy that no one in the family would expect," added Elizabeth Ayoola.
Investigators are working to determine what led up to the crash.
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