The southbound highway was closed in Mahwah after the Mack truck driven by Ron Appel of Riverdale struck a guardrail and landed on its side in Oakland shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, May 4, New Jersey State Trooper. II Charles Marchan said.
Franklin Lakes police and firefighters and New Jersey State Police were among the responders.
They believe that Appel -- who was widely respected and admired by his peers as an expert driver -- suffered a heart attack.
Heavy-duty wreckers were needed to remove the Appel Trucking of Bloomingdale rig.
Motorists, meanwhile, were being diverted onto Route 208 as traffic backed up for miles.
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