The tractor-trailer driver is the second person struck on the northbound side of Interstate 287 this week.
FRANKLIN TWP. - The driver of a tractor-trailer was struck early Thursday morning on the northbound side of Interstate 287 near exit 12 after he left the cab of his tractor, New Jersey State Police Trooper Lawrence Peele said.
Two people have been struck three-tenths of a mile apart on the northbound side of Interstate 287 in separate incidents this week. In Thursday's accident, it is not known why the driver got out of the tractor's cab and the extent of his injuries was not released.
Miroslav Bodnar, 85, who was struck on Monday when he got out of his vehicle, died from his injuries, it was previously reported by NJ Advance Media.
At 3:41 a.m. Thursday, State Police received a report of a person being struck on the northbound side of Interstate 287 at mile marker 11.4, Peele said. Monday's fatal accident happened at mile marker 11.7.
The tractor-trailer was parked on the right shoulder of the highway and the driver had exited the cab when we was struck by a vehicle. Peele said the accident is under investigation and did not know if the tractor-trailer driver had stepped into expressway's travel lanes.
The tractor-trailer's driver, who has not been identified, was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. His condition has not been released, said Peele.
The identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck him has not been released either, said Peele. The left lane remained open during the initial investigation and all lanes were reopened at 7:55 a.m., he said.
On Monday, Miroslav Bodnar, 85, of the Somerset section of the township, was struck and killed near Exit 12 on the northbound side of Interstate 287. Bodnar had left his vehicle for an unknown reason and was struck by a tractor-trailer, according to State Police.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.