By: Tracie Carter
A multi-vehicle collision on the New Jersey Turnpike early Saturday morning claimed the life of a Monmouth County man and left several vehicles damaged, according to information released by the New Jersey State Police.
Authorities identified the victim as 67-year-old Edouard Lougai of Loch Arbour.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:48 a.m. on the southbound inner roadway of the Turnpike near milepost 94.6 in Woodbridge state police officials said.
Police said Lougai was driving a Chevrolet Malibu southbound when his vehicle was struck from behind by a Mazda CX-5.
The impact caused both cars to veer off the road, hit the guardrail, and then reenter the Turnpike, where they became disabled in the travel lanes.
Moments later, a Toyota Sienna pulled over near the scene in an apparent attempt to provide assistance.
A fourth vehicle—a Mercedes-Benz C300—then approached and collided with both the disabled Chevrolet and the parked Toyota. The force of that collision caused the Toyota to crash into the Mazda.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Lougai was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under active investigation by New Jersey State Police as they work to determine the exact sequence of events and contributing factors. 
Further information may be released as the investigation progresses.