The crash happened around 7:37 a.m., in the westbound lanes near milepost 35.2 in Rockaway Township, New Jersey State Police Sgt. Charles Marchan said.
A Chevrolet pickup truck hauling a trailer, a Toyota sedan, a Ford pickup, a Ford box truck, and a GMC dump truck were all slowing for traffic when a tractor-trailer slammed into the rear of the GMC, authorities said.
That impact set off a chain reaction, sending the GMC into the Ford pickup, which veered into the Ford box truck. The GMC also hit the Toyota, which then struck the rear of the Chevrolet trailer, police said.
The driver of the GMC, a 61-year-old man from East Orange, and his 44-year-old male passenger were both ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries, according to state police.
The crash remains under investigation. No further details were immediately available.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Boonton and receive free news updates.