18-year-old woman killed, 2 others seriously hurt in Parkway crash

An 18-year-old New Jersey woman was killed and two others seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash early Monday that partially closed the southbound Garden State Parkway for about seven hours, causing extensive delays.

Nicole Smith, of Middletown, was a passenger in a Dodge Charger that rear-ended a Nissan Rogue near milepost 132.6 in Woodbridge around 1:30 a.m., State Police said. The Dodge then struck a guard rail, a tree and overturned as Smith and a second passenger were thrown from the car. 

That passenger and the driver - both 20-year-old women from Middletown - were hospitalized with serious injuries following the crash, Trooper Alejandro Goez said. 

The drivers of the Nissan and third vehicle, which was hit by a tire that flew off the Dodge, were not injured.

The investigation continued through the morning rush as at least one lane and the entrance to the Colonia Service Area was shut for about seven hours. Traffic was backed up for about eight hours before State Police re-opened the lanes around 8:30 a.m.