On August 25, 2026, two women died after a tractor‑trailer overturned onto a stopped vehicle on I‑78 in Newark. The incident involved a Mack truck driver who swerved to avoid a Chevrolet, causing the truck to flip onto the car.
State police responded to the crash on the major highway, confirming the fatalities were the two women inside the Chevrolet. The driver of the Mack tractor‑trailer was not reported as injured.
According to the investigation, the driver attempted to avoid the stationary Chevrolet, resulting in loss of control and the truck overturning onto the vehicle. The exact cause of the stop of the Chevrolet has not been disclosed.
The accident occurred on a busy section of Interstate 78, that serves as a key thoroughfare for commuters and freight traffic in Newark. Authorities have closed the lane(s) while the scene is cleared and a formal investigation continues.
State police investigators are gathering evidence, including vehicle data and witness statements, to determine the precise sequence of events. The crash highlights the hazards that can arise when large commercial trucks encounter stopped vehicles on high‑speed roadways.
No additional injuries were reported, and traffic was rerouted while crews worked to remove the overturned tractor‑trailer and the damaged Chevrolet. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released further details.
The incident adds to the record of traffic accidents on I‑78, a route that carries both passenger and commercial traffic through the region. Officials said they will issue a report once the investigation is complete.