The NJ State Police Fatal Accident Unit was called to the scene of a crash that killed at least one person on the NJ Turnpike in Cranbury Friday night.
According to a preliminary investigation, police were called to the southbound inner roadway lanes -near milepost 67- to investigate reports of a car crash just before 11 p.m.
Upon arrival, emergency responders found a tractor-trailer and a car conjoined and required extrication of victims due to the damage to the vehicles at that location.
Police say there were several occupants inside the car -including children- who suffered severe injuries.
One of the children was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to reports, it is believed that the driver of the car attempted to avoid a mattress in the roadway by swerving and colliding with a truck that was not able to stop in enough time.
Police say one other child was rushed to an area hospital suffering life-threatening injuries.
The official cause of the crash is under investigation.