BERKELEY – After suffering from a medical episode, a truck driver caused a four-car accident and crashed into a shopping plaza, police said.
On July 19 around 7 a.m., officers responded to 441 Atlantic City Boulevard (Route 9) for a four vehicle crash that included a Blue Rhino Propane transport tractor trailer.
According to police, 57-year-old Todd Giglio of Whiting was driving south bound on Atlantic City Boulevard in the tractor trailer when he suffered a medical episode.
As a result, he went through the red light at Atlantic City Boulevard and Frederick Drive and struck a silver Hyundai Tucson that was stopped at the red light facing north bound.
The Hyundai was struck head on and was then pushed into a telephone pole and air bags were deployed, police said. The driver was treated for chest pain and ultimately refused to go to the hospital for further evaluation.
The tractor trailer then jumped the curb and entered the Berkeley Plaza. Police said it hit a stationary Chevy box truck used for advertisements, causing the box truck to overturn.
The tractor trailer then drove over a curbed median, taking out several bushes, before hitting two unoccupied vehicles that were parked in front of Pet Supplies Plus. The parked vehicles were a black Jeep Laredo and a white Ford Expedition, police said.
Finally, the tractor trailer was diverted in the direction of Chicken Holiday after hitting the Jeep. It subsequently jumped the curb and crashed through the entrance of Chicken Holiday causing extensive damage to the building.
At the scene were Bayville Fire department, NJ Natural Gas, and the Berkeley Township building inspector to make the scene safe.
Authorities said Chicken Holiday, Acme Draft House, Lee Nails, and Pet Supplies Plus were all deemed structurally unsafe for the time being. Those businesses are temporarily closed until further notice.
Giglio was transported by Bayville EMS for further evaluation.
This crash is still under investigation by Ptl. Lagreca of the Berkeley Township Traffic Safety Bureau.
