2 lanes reopened after fatal crash at George Washington Bridge approach

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. (WABC) -- The wreckage of a tractor trailer has been removed after a fatal wreck that snarled the inbound approach to the George Washington Bridge in Ridgefield Park early Friday.

Around 5 a.m. on the northbound New Jersey Turnpike at mile marker 118.6, a tractor trailer and a Jeep collided, flipping the tractor-trailer, which was sideways and blocking all the express lanes.

Thomas Andrews, 58, of Keyport, N.J., lost control of the Jeep and struck the median, according to police. The driver of the tractor trailer saw the incident but was unable to stop, and it hit the Jeep. The tractor trailer overturned, blocking the local and the express lanes just south of Route 80.

Andrews had head injuries and was taken to Hackensack Hospital where he is stable. The tractor-trailer driver was pronounced dead at the scene and has not been identified pending next of kin notification.

Crews were repairing the guardrails around noon, and were trying to reopen the express lanes as soon as possible.

The trailer contained orange juice from the Tropicana company. There was minor spillage due to the accident.

All local and express lanes were closed, but one express lane reopened and was moving at a crawl by 7 a.m.; one northbound local lane is open at this time for traffic. All other northbound express and local lanes are closed. Crews are removing the vehicles and any debris.

The accident is under investigation by the New Jersey State Police Newark Station and Fatal Accident Investigation Unit.