At Least 2 Dead, 12 Injured In Garden State Parkway Accident
UPDATED 07/02/16 12:11 a.m.
HOLMDEL, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- At least two people were killed, and 12 more were injured, in a crash on the Garden State Parkway Friday evening.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, family and friends were inside of Bayshore Community Hospital waiting for word on the condition of those who did survive.
"When you see a helicopter, you start praying," Frances Adario said.
Prayers were sent and pain was felt for the 14 victims of the large van that overturned on the Garden State Parkway.
Around 7 p.m., the van flipped over on the northbound express lanes of the Garden State Parkway near Exit 116, New Jersey state police said.
New Jersey State police confirmed at least two fatalities. A total of 12 other people suffered injuries from minor to critical and were taken to Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, state police said.
All northbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway were shut down in Holmdel Township following the crash. Some lanes had reopened by 9 p.m.
Dozens of people stared out at the wreckage and emergency vehicles from an overpass in Homdel on Friday night.
"Sad, you know -- a tragedy," Doug Coates said.
The scene had many people who live nearby shaken.
"It was very scary. Very upsetting because you're hoping everybody is okay," Adario said.
With ambulances lining the parkway, those hopes vanished. Late Friday, everyone was hoping the majority of the victims can pull through.
One woman who said she is a friend of people in the van told CBS2 she believes a tire popped right before the crash.