A construction worker was killed and another was injured Wednesday morning after a chain-reaction crash ripped through an active work zone on the New Jersey Turnpike, highlighting the dangers faced by crews working along one of the region’s busiest highways, authorities said.
State Police identified the victim as Mark Kmetz, 61, of Hillsborough. Kmetz was pronounced dead at the scene on the southbound lanes of the Turnpike, less than a half-mile south of Exit 15X in Secaucus. A second construction worker, a 68-year-old man from Clifton, was treated for moderate injuries and taken to a nearby hospital, police said.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:55 a.m., during the height of the morning commute. Investigators said traffic was moving through a designated construction zone when a southbound Mercedes-Benz struck the rear of a boom truck that was positioned as part of the work operation.
That initial impact set off a violent chain reaction. According to State Police, the Mercedes veered off the roadway after hitting the boom truck and collided with a pickup truck that was parked within the construction area. The force of that crash pushed the pickup truck into the 68-year-old construction worker, who was standing outside the vehicles at the time.
The Mercedes then continued traveling through the work zone, slamming into a parked box truck before striking Kmetz, who was also outside his vehicle, police said. Both workers were reportedly on foot and performing duties related to the construction project when they were hit.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Kmetz was pronounced dead shortly after they arrived. The injured worker was stabilized and transported for further treatment. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. No additional motorists were reported hurt.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions along the southbound Turnpike for several hours. Multiple lanes were closed as emergency crews worked to clear debris, tend to the injured, and secure the area. Investigators remained on scene for an extended period to document evidence and reconstruct the sequence of events.
State Police said the incident remains under investigation, and it was not immediately clear whether speed, distraction, or other factors played a role. Authorities have not announced whether charges will be filed.
The deadly crash underscores ongoing concerns about safety in highway construction zones, where workers are often separated from fast-moving traffic by little more than cones and temporary barriers. Law enforcement officials continue to urge drivers to slow down, stay alert, and obey posted signs when approaching work zones.
“Construction areas demand extra caution,” officials have repeatedly warned, noting that even a brief lapse in attention can have devastating consequences.
Kmetz’s death marks another tragic reminder of the risks faced daily by road workers across New Jersey and the nation. State Police said they would release additional details as the investigation continues.
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