A 79-year-old SUV driver was killed in a crash early Sunday on Interstate 280 in West Orange, officials said.

Joel Sterling was traveling east shortly before 1 a.m. when he veered off the highway, struck a mound of sand, overturned, and hit two trees, State Police said.

Sterling, of Orange, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash, which occurred about a quarter-mile from the Laurel Avenue exit near the Livingston-West Orange border, remains under investigation.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com .

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