A dump truck overturned beneath an overpass on the New Jersey Turnpike on Tuesday morning, causing authorities to shut down the highway, according to Buzzfeed News.
While thousands of people were reportedly stuck in traffic on the Turnpike for over three hours, many decided to make the best out of a bad situation by sunbathing and playing various kinds of sports.
Lounging on the NJ Turnpike. Making the best of it waiting out the crash in Linden NJ #Linden pic.twitter.com/udEbOacwrh
Advertisement— NYC State of Mind (@NYC_stateofmind) August 4, 2015
@News12NJ People playing baseball on the turnpike while waiting out the crash in Linden NJ #Linden pic.twitter.com/jZrLiZxXZJ — NYC State of Mind (@NYC_stateofmind) August 4, 2015
Although those who had to wait in traffic before cars were slowly rerouted in the other direction were able to find different ways to handle the situation, the accident had tragically led to a death. The fatality is believed to be the driver of the truck that was overturned, according to the NY Daily News.
The crash reportedly caused a fire that may have compromised gas and power lines that run under the overpass as well as the structure.
Turnpike Authority spokesman Tom Feeney reportedly stated that all other lanes were shut until at least early Tuesday night, due to power line issues and ongoing investigation regarding the accident.
New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel tweeted about the traffic jam, stating that he had never seen it so bad before.
“I call it ‘carmageddon,’” stated Tittel.
