http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs...511050331/1005

11/5/05 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
BOB KARP / DAILY RECORD

2 die as van flips on Rt. 287
Workers riding in cargo area flung out

BY MEG HUELSMAN
DAILY RECORD

MONTVILLE -- Two Brazilian flooring contractors riding in the back of a box van were killed on Friday morning when the van flipped over and rolled across the northbound lanes of Route 287 during rush hour.

Seven workers were inside the US Flooring van, which apparently was on its way to a hardwood flooring job, authorities said. The van was filled with wooden flooring planks and tools.

Both men who died were seated on top of a stack of flooring planks in the rear compartment and were thrown into the highway's guide rail when the truck flipped over. Two other men in the back sat protected on the floor between the cargo and the walls of the truck.

Authorities would not identify the victims until relatives are notified -- a process that may be complicated by their immigration status.

"The two men, both in their early 20s, were here in the United States without working permits or documentation of any type," said state police Sgt. Russell Seaman said.

"We're going to have to go through (the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service) and possibly the Brazilian consulate to locate their family members."

The surviving occupants were taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital. One of them, Elson Louiz Brandao, suffered a sprained wrist and cutsto the right side of his face, police said.

Police did not release any information about the driver or his condition.

Police said they believe the van was carrying a load too heavy for its size and flipped over when the load shifted. The accident, which occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m., closed the right northbound lane and backed up traffic for several miles. The accident was cleared around 12:30 p.m.

The van traveled from the center lane into the shoulder and tipped into the guide rail. The force of the crash ripped the rear compartment open, authorities said. All four passengers in the rear were thrown from the truck.

According to the state Motor Vehicle Commission, the Ford model box van was registered to a private owner in Long Branch, Monmouth County, and was not to be used for commercial purposes. It originally had seats in the rear compartment, although police said the seats had been removed.

Riding in the rear portion of the van without seats was illegal, said MVC spokesman Gordon Deal. He also said it appeared that the van, registered for personal use, was misused as a commercial vehicle.

"We're still investigating the accident," Seaman said.