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A fatigued truck driver in a New Jersey work zone

New Jersey Turnpike, near Cranbury, New Jersey, United States

Official investigation finding

What happened

At about 12.55am on 7 June 2014, a tractor-trailer travelling above the posted speed limit through an active work zone on the New Jersey Turnpike near Cranbury did not react in time to slowing and stopped traffic ahead. It struck the back of a limo van, and the crash involved six vehicles in total.

One passenger in the limo van was killed. Four people were seriously injured and five had minor injuries.

The NTSB determined that the probable cause was the truck driver's fatigue, due to his failure to obtain sleep before reporting for duty, which delayed his reaction to the traffic ahead. Reporting on the NTSB's findings said the driver had been awake for more than 28 hours. The NTSB also found that passengers in the limo van not wearing seat belts contributed to the severity of their injuries.

What the evidence says about fatigue

The NTSB determined that the probable cause was the truck driver's fatigue, due to his failure to obtain sleep before reporting for duty, together with driving above the posted speed limit.

Why it matters

Starting a shift without sleep leaves a driver tired before the journey has even begun. Fatigue slows reactions, and in slow or stopped traffic there is little margin for a late response.

Sources

This summary was written by Drowzy from the reports listed above. Please read the original reporting for full details. If anything here is inaccurate, let us know so we can correct it.