A crash on the Garden State Parkway in Clark, New Jersey, caused significant traffic disruption Monday, August 17, 2026, after an overturned vehicle and reported injuries prompted an emergency response near Exit 135.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority confirmed that the incident occurred on the northbound Garden State Parkway south of Exit 135, identified as Central Avenue in Clark Township. The official traffic alert described the incident as a crash involving injuries and an overturned vehicle and initially reported multiple lanes blocked.
Exit 135 serves the Clark area and provides access to Central Avenue. The location is an important connection for commuters traveling through Union County, meaning a significant crash in the area can quickly produce delays extending beyond the immediate incident scene.
Early traffic information indicated that emergency responders were dealing with an overturned vehicle while assisting people who were injured. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of those involved or detailed the severity of the reported injuries.
The exact circumstances that led to the collision remain unclear. Investigators will likely examine the vehicles involved, roadway conditions, witness accounts and other available evidence to determine how the crash occurred.
Traffic conditions around the Parkway changed as emergency crews worked at the scene. A separate traffic-monitoring report later showed the area around northbound Exit 135 had reopened, although congestion and delays remained in the corridor.
Drivers approaching the Clark area were advised to slow down and remain alert while emergency personnel operated near the roadway. Motorists should never attempt to drive around emergency vehicles or enter restricted areas to get through a crash scene.
The incident is particularly significant for commuters traveling between Clark, Rahway, Woodbridge and surrounding communities. Delays on the Garden State Parkway can quickly affect nearby surface streets as drivers attempt to find alternative routes.
The New Jersey Turnpike Authority provides real-time traffic information through its traffic-alert system and SafeTripNJ service, which can help motorists monitor crashes, lane restrictions and other roadway conditions before and during their journeys.
The crash also highlights the potential dangers associated with overturned vehicles on high-volume highways. When a vehicle comes to rest in active travel lanes, emergency crews must secure the area while preventing secondary collisions involving approaching motorists.
At this stage, there is no verified information indicating that the crash resulted in a fatality. The official alert confirms injuries, but additional details about the people involved and their medical conditions have not been released.
Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision. Depending on the findings, additional information could clarify how many vehicles were involved, what caused the crash and whether any citations or other enforcement actions will follow.
For motorists traveling through Clark, New Jersey, the safest approach is to check current traffic conditions before entering the Parkway and allow additional travel time when congestion is reported. Drivers should also follow directions from police, emergency responders and transportation officials.
The NJ Parkway accident today near Exit 135 remains a developing traffic incident. What is confirmed is that an injury crash involving an overturned vehicle occurred northbound south of Exit 135 in Clark Township, causing lane restrictions as emergency crews responded.
Further updates from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, New Jersey State Police or local authorities may provide additional information about the victims, vehicles involved, cause of the collision and the full restoration of normal traffic flow.