Van Strikes Construction Beam on Turnpike Causing Heavy Morning Delays

A construction crane lifting a steel beam on the Turnpike Wednesday was struck by a van causing heavy morning delays, state police said.

The driver of the van, James Crawford, 63, of Newark, was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick for lacerations, but his injuries were not life threatening, said New Jersey State Police Trooper Christopher Kay. 

A preliminary investigation revealed a PKS Construction crane was attempting to lift a steel beam when the beam pivoted and swung into the right lane, Kay said. A white Ford Econoline van struck the beam, which sheared off part of the roof, and caused the van to overturn.

The accident happened around 7:54 a.m. in the northbound lanes near milepost 67.5 in East Windsor, Kay said. Two lanes were closed for about an hour and half, but were reopened before 10 a.m.