Bus Driver Still in Critical Condition from Turnpike Accident

The bus driver in the remained in critical condition Thursday morning. Andy Lynch, 52, of Chesapeake, Va., was extricated and airlifted from the accident scene after the bus he was driving rear-ended a tractor-trailer on the N.J. Turnpike's southbound outer roadway, just north of Exit 8A/Rt. 32 in South Brunswick.

Contrary to earlier reports that indicated Lynch had died from his injuries, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police said he was, in fact, in critical condition and had not died.

Shortly before noon Wednesday (Aug. 24), a D.C. Trails on Tour bus carrying 55 passengers driven by Lynch, was en route from New York City to Washington D.C. when it encountered heavy traffic.

The bus came upon the slow moving traffic and swerved to the right, where it rear-ended a J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer, which then struck the rear of another tractor-trailer causing the J.B. Hunt truck to jackknife, according to the NJSP.

Three passengers, including Lynch, were airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital after sustaining serious injuries, according to the NJSP. 14 other passengers sustained minor injuries and were taken to Saint Peter’s University Medical Center in New Brunswick and CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, according to the NJSP.

RWJ spokesman Peter Haigney said yesterday that a total of seven victims from the accident were treated at Robert Wood Johnson, with three having been treated and released. One victim was upgraded from critical to serious condition.

The New Jersey Turnpike was shut down for three hours following the accident.