2 drivers die in Route 55 collision after southbound SUV crosses median into northbound lanes, NJ State Police say

Last updated 8 p.m.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey State Police have identified the two people killed in a crash that shut down a 3-mile stretch of northbound Route 55 for hours on Thursday. Investigators say it happened when one of the drivers crossed over onto the wrong side of the road.

Around 9 a.m., officials say, a man identified as 62-year-old Stanley Kahana of Philadelphia was driving a Jeep Compass southbound on Route 55 when he crossed over the grassy median strip into the northbound lanes of the divided freeway.

They say Kahana then continued driving in the wrong direction.

Between exits 50 and 53, Kahana and the driver of Toyota Rav4, identified by investigators as 53-year-old Jennifer Hufnell of Deptford, collided head-on, according to state police. Both of the vehicles turned over, and the Toyota caught fire.

Kahana and Hufnell were both killed.

No other passengers were in the car, state troopers said.

The crash is under investigation.