East Windsor Township, New Jersey (December 7, 2025) — A tractor-trailer crash on the New Jersey Turnpike left three people dead, including Bloomfield residents Elin R. Waithe, 44, and Quacy Waithe, 47, after a parked SUV was struck on the right shoulder Sunday afternoon. One of the two juveniles in the vehicle also died, though their identity has not been released.
Incident Details: According to the New Jersey State Police, the fatal collision occurred around 1:39 p.m. when a tractor-trailer entered the right shoulder and crashed into a parked GMC SUV in the northbound lanes. Elin Waithe, the SUV’s driver, was standing outside the vehicle on the shoulder when the impact occurred. Three passengers were inside the SUV at the time: Quacy Waithe in the front passenger seat and two juveniles in the back.
Both Elin and Quacy Waithe sustained fatal injuries, along with one of the juveniles in the rear seat. The condition of the surviving juvenile has not been released. The circumstances surrounding why the SUV was stopped on the shoulder have not been disclosed. The crash remains under investigation.
Investigation: The New Jersey State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit and Collision Analysis Reconstruction Squad are working to determine why the tractor-trailer veered onto the shoulder. Investigators will review driver statements, electronic logging device data, and the truck’s onboard safety systems to assess speed, braking patterns, and steering movements in the moments leading up to the impact.
They will also evaluate roadway evidence, including debris fields, tire impressions, impact angles, and the final resting positions of the vehicles, to reconstruct the sequence of the collision. In crashes involving parked shoulder vehicles, investigators typically examine whether the truck driver was distracted, fatigued, or failed to maintain their lane.
Given the multiple fatalities, investigators may also examine mechanical issues, such as brake failure or a blown tire. They will likely review any dashcam or toll plaza surveillance video capturing the truck’s approach. For the surviving juvenile and the families of all involved, these findings will be crucial in understanding how this tragedy unfolded.
Legal Considerations: Under New Jersey law, commercial drivers are required to stay within marked lanes and operate their vehicles with heightened caution due to the size and stopping distance of their vehicles. Entering the shoulder without necessity can constitute negligence, particularly when it results in a collision with a stopped vehicle.
For the Waithe family and the relatives of the deceased juvenile, the losses are immeasurable. They are now facing not only the emotional devastation of losing loved ones but also the sudden disruption to their lives and futures. Wrongful death claims may allow the families to pursue compensation for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the profound emotional toll of their deaths.
While no legal remedy can ease the grief of losing parents, spouses, or children in a single violent impact, civil action can help hold the responsible parties accountable and offer much-needed stability in the aftermath.
My deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
Source: Bloomfield Patch