An accident where a 50-pound dumbbell crashed through a windshield closed the New Jersey Turnpike in South Jersey Monday morning, according to New Jersey State Police.

A 50-pound dumbbell flew into a 75-year-old driver’s windshield during the morning rush on Monday. The car was on the New Jersey Turnpike in Salem County. NBC10’s Drew Smith has the latest on the investigation.

The wreck in the southbound lanes near mile-marker 6 in Oldmans Township in Salem County stopped traffic in both directions around 7:45 a.m.

A 75-year-old man was hospitalized after a 50-pound dumbbell mysteriously flew into his windshield while he drove on the New Jersey Turnpike Monday morning.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time later, an SUV with windshield damage could be seen off the roadway as a medical helicopter landed on the roadway. Investigators found the dumbbell in the passenger seat, police said. [[410114775, C]]

The driver, 75-year-old Jack Decarlo of Hamilton Township, was medivaced to the Crozer Chester Medical Center with serious injuries. He is currently in critical condition. His wife, who was in the vehicle with him, was not hurt.

Police told NBC10 they would exhaust their resources trying to uncover where the weight came from -- if it was tossed off an overpass or fell from a vehicle.

State Police reopened the northbound lanes around 8:30 a.m.