EAST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, New Jersey — Three people, including a minor, were killed Sunday afternoon when a tractor-trailer veered onto the right shoulder of the New Jersey Turnpike and crashed into a parked SUV, according to New Jersey State Police.

^{Photo credit: CBS}

The crash occurred at 1:39 p.m. near milepost 64.6 in the southbound outer roadway of East Windsor Township.
Troopers say a GMC SUV was parked on the right shoulder with four occupants — two adults and two minors — when the tractor-trailer entered the shoulder.

What investigators say happened

• Elin R. Waithe, 44, of Bloomfield, had exited the parked SUV and was standing outside the vehicle.

• Quacy Waithe, 47, also of Bloomfield, was inside the front passenger seat.

• Two minors were seated in the rear of the SUV.

• A Peterbilt tractor-trailer, driven by Dmitriy I. Kara, 33, of Philadelphia, entered the shoulder for unknown reasons and struck the rear of the SUV, crushing the vehicle.

Fatalities and injuries

State Police confirmed that:

• Elin Waithe,

• Quacy Waithe, and

• one minor child
  all died from their injuries at the scene.

The second child survived, though details on their condition were not immediately released.

The truck driver, Dmitriy Kara, sustained minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Troopers say no charges have been filed at this stage of the investigation.
Authorities are continuing to examine why the tractor-trailer entered the shoulder and what factors may have contributed to the crash.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, the SUV had pulled over before being struck by the semi. The roadway was shut down for an extended investigation and cleanup.

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