Thanksgiving Charter Bus Crash on Turnpike Kills One

HAMILTON (Mercer) — A concrete barrier on the New Jersey Turnpike appears to have stopped a charter bus from falling into a creek during a crash on the night after Thanksgiving.

One person died in the crash, officials said.

The incident happened in the southbound outer lanes south of exit 7A around 8:45 p.m. Friday, according to State Police Sgt. Lawrence Peele. Peele did not reveal how many people were on board the bus or other details.

Video of the crash scene shows the front of the bus resting against a concrete barrier of the bridge over Crosswicks Creek.  Pictures also show many passengers standing outside the bus.

Robbinsville firefighters said that the driver was trapped.

The outer roadway was closed for several hours.

The crash appears to be the first fatality on a New Jersey highway during the Thanksgiving holiday. State Police said seven people died in crashes during the holiday in 2018.