Morris Twp. Man Killed in Head-On Crash With Tractor Trailer

A Morris Township man was killed early Friday morning when his vehicle collided head-on with a tractor trailer on Ridgedale Avenue, police said.

Alex Cerpa, 30, died from injuries sustained in the crash shortly after being transported to Morristown Medical Center by the Morris Minute Men First Aid Squad, Morris Township Police Capt. Richard Ferrone said.

The crash occurred shortly after 5 a.m. Friday, Ferrone said. Officers responding to a report of a collision on Ridgedale Avenue arrived at the scene to find a white 2011 Nissan Altima had collided head-on into a tractor trailer. 

Officers from Morris Township's Traffic Investigation Unit determined the Nissan was traveling southbound on Ridgedale Avene and struck the right shoulder curb in the area of Evergreen Place, causing the vehicle to lose control and cross into northbound lanes of traffic, where it collided with the tractor trailer, according to the police report.

Ferrone said police have found no reason to believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash. 

The collision caused the roadway to be closed for approximately four hours in both directions between Evergreen Place and John Street. 

The tractor trailer involved in the crash is owned by Mill Corporation of Philadelphia.

Ferrone said Morris Township Police were assisted at the scene by the Morris Township Fire Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Vehicular Homicide Unit, the New Jersey State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit and the Morris County Hazmat Unit.

He also said police are looking for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morris Township Traffic Safety Unit at 973-326-7436.