All lanes of Route 78 closed by jackknifed trailers, causing huge delays

UNION TOWNSHIP — Two jackknifed tractor trailers on Route 78 closed the highway Tuesday morning as boxes were spread all over the road.

State Police spokesman Sgt. FC Gregory Williams said the tractor trailers jackknifed on the eastbound side east of exit No. 11 for Perryville Road in Pittstown just before 9 a.m., dumping a load of empty cardboard boxes across all the lanes.

Williams said police were trying to get a front loader out to the scene to open up at least one lane to traffic. Traffic was diverted off the roadway at exit No. 12 for Route 173.

As of 10:30 a.m., one lane was reopened.

The drivers of both trucks were hospitalized for minor injuries, according to Williams, who said the incident was still under investigation to determine a cause.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.