Driver Killed In NJ Bridge Crash IDed As Brooklyn Resident

BROOKLYN, NY — The driver of a truck that went off the Delaware Memorial Bridge in New Jersey and plunged into the water on July 11 has been identified by authorities as a Brooklyn man.

The driver was identified as 35-year-old Zair Murzakov, officials said Monday afternoon. Murzakov was driving the Bobtail tractor that crashed through the bridge’s side barrier and plunged into the Delaware River early Friday.

The crash occurred at 3:40 a.m. Friday, as Murzakov was crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge from South Jersey to Delaware. During the drive, the cab of a tractor-trailer—without a trailer attached—crossed three lanes of traffic, crashed through the concrete wall, and came to rest on a concrete pad below.

The wall collapsed, sending the vehicle careening into the Delaware River.

About six hours later, search teams located the truck 20 feet below the surface. Murzakov’s body and the vehicle were recovered the following day, officials said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover the costs of transporting Murzakov’s remains to his home country. As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser has raised more than $17,000.

The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Department.

With reporting from Josh Bakan/Patch staff.