Jose L. Velez-Procel, 54, of Atlantic Highlands was pronounced dead at the scene after he was extricated following the 12:30 a.m. crash off the southbound highway in Oakland, State Police Sgt. First Class Lawrence Peele said.
Preliminary information indicates that the rig went off the right side of the roadway and struck a guardrail and concrete bridge rail, disengaging the tractor, Peele said.
The highway was closed in both directions for several hours while the wreckage was removed and State Police began their investigation, he said. It reopened around 7:30 a.m.
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ALSO SEE: A driver chased by police more than 40 miles from New Jersey into New York State before crashing a stolen car was identified as an ex-con who’s been involved in previous pursuits and has an arrest record that numbers in the dozens. READ MORE....
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