Family members killed in NJ Turnpike crash ID’d
State Police today released the names of the three family members from Georgia who were killed Thursday when their car was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mount Laurel.
State Police today released the names of the three family members from Georgia who were killed Thursday when their car was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mount Laurel.
They were Ainsworth Mallett, 51, his wife, Jacqueline, 49, and their son, Drew, 12.
The couple's 18-year-old daughter, Nicole, survived and was treated at Cooper University Hospital.
The family lived in Stone Mountain, Ga., and were on their way home after visiting Ainsworth Mallett's mother in Connecticut. Their dog also died in the crash.
Mallett operated a Golden Krust Bakery & Grill franchise in Lithonia, Ga., said Jacqueline Hawthorne-Robinson, whose family owns the company, which specializes in Caribbean foods.
The Lithonia store has been closed until further notice, said Hawthorne-Robinson.
Both Mallett and his wife came from Jamaica, she said.
"He was a really a good guy," Hawthorne Robinson said. "This is heart rending."
Sgt. Adam Grossman, a state police spokesman, said the Malletts were southbound when their Toyota Camry was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer Thursday morning at milepost 39.9, between Exits 4 and 5.
State police have said traffic slowed suddenly for reasons unknown when the collision occurred.
Grossman said the investigation is continuing and no charges have been filed.