2 Killed, 4 Others Hurt In N.J. Turnpike Crash

RIDGEFIELD, N.J. (AP) -- Two men were killed and four others were hurt early Friday in a five-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike.

The accident on the eastern spur in Ridgefield forced the closure of southbound lanes for about five hours, creating major travel delays.

State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones says the accident occurred around 6:40 a.m. when a minivan apparently struck some tire debris from a tractor-trailer truck.

The minivan's driver and a passenger, 63-year-old Samssondar Khamrhaj of New York City, then got out to check for damage. Khamrhaj was then struck by a van driven by 40-year-old Francisco Martinez of North Bergen.

Martinez then got out of his van and was apparently struck by another vehicle. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

The injured were taken to Hackensack University Medical Center, but details on their conditions were not disclosed.

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