Police ID victim in Rt. 287 crash

HANOVER – State Police have identified the victim in a fatal accident that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Route 287 South when a sport-utility vehicle crashed into the rear of a parked tractor-trailer.

Amgad Mikhael, 41, of Verona was identified as the driver of the 2014 Subaru Forester that crashed into the parked Peterbilt tractor trailer on the right shoulder near mile marker 37.7 in Hanover at 3:53 p.m., State Police Sgt. First Class Greg Williams said.

"For unknown reasons he failed to maintain directional control of the vehicle," Williams said. Drugs or alcohol were not a factor, and Mikhael was wearing his seat belt, he added.

While it was raining and the roads were slick at the time of the crash, weather did not appear to be a factor either, Williams added.

Mikhael suffered "severe bodily injuries" and was pronounced deceased by a doctor on the scene at 5:11 p.m., Williams said.

Mikhael was the sole occupant in the vehicle. It was previously reported that his wife was a passenger in the vehicle, but a police spokesperson confirmed Friday that an initial statement issued by the police was updated to indicate that the victim was the only occupant.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was also uninjured.

A.J. Kent witnessed the accident as he was driving down the roadway Tuesday afternoon. He said the Forester never braked and drifted directly into the back of the trailer.

Kent said he was the second of about half a dozen people to pull over and try to help before police arrived.

Kent said he also noticed a baby seat and stroller in the vehicle, but no child.

"We all were thankful that there was no baby in the SUV," Kent said. "But realized immediately with great sadness that this baby whom is not in the SUV no longer has a father."

Kent expressed his "deepest sympathy" to the family.

The State Police Fatal Accident Response and Crime Scene teams, state Department of Transportation, the Morris County Medical Examiner and a commercial inspection team responded to the scene, Williams said.

Two of Route 287 South's four lanes were shut down due to the accident Tuesday, resulting in significant delays during the evening commute.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com