Mafer Fermin Pena was rear-ended by an Acura near mile post 137.9 on the northbound side of the highway in Cranford around 4:45 a.m., New Jersey State Police Trooper Brandi Slota said.
The Mazda traveled off the roadway to the right and struck a tree, and the Acura subsequently caught fire.
Pena was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
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