Man Killed in I-280 Crash Hit Loose Trailer, State Police Say

A man was killed on Interstate 280 at Exit 1W on Tuesday when he hit a trailer that became loose from its tractor-trailer, state police said.

The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. Tuesday in the left lane of I-280 West at the exit for New Road in Parsippany, State Police Lt. Stephen Jones said.

Steven Peltz, 51 of Flanders, was in a Honda behind a 2007 Western Star tractor-trailer driven by Craig Wallenstein.

“When the trailer became detached from the truck, the Honda struck the trailer,” said Jones, who also confirmed that Peltz was pronounced dead at the scene and Wallenstein had no injuries.

I-280 West was shut down for about four hours for the investigation and the State Police Commercial Vehicle inspection team arrived at the scene to investigate further on how the trailer became loose, said Jones. The trailer was impounded for further inspection.

No summonses were issued as of Thursday afternoon.

Since then, a GoFundMe project has since been set up for Peltz, the "husband and father of two, (who) tragically lost his life in an auto accident on his way home from work" and those who would like to donate to help the family can do so at this website.  

You can also mail a check made out to: Donna Peltz

Mail to:
Karen McGowan
9 Rawlings Court
Ledgewood, NJ 07852