Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray is recovering in a New Jersey hospital following a motorcycle accident Thursday afternoon.

Gray was riding his BMW motorcycle eastbound on Broadway Street in Maurice River Township, N.J., on his way to join his wife and family in Avalon, when he was struck by a northbound box truck owned by Pitt Ohio Express at Broadway and Port Cumberland Road.

Gray, who was traveling at a low rate of speed, lost consciousness at the accident scene.

"Mayor Gray was transported to a trauma unit and was later admitted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden," Gray's assistant, Pat Brogan, said Friday afternoon. "None of his injuries are life-threatening or disabling. At this time, Mayor Gray is alert and his condition is stable."

Gray suffered a broken left clavicle, four broken ribs, contusions to the left lung and bruises to his legs. He was wearing a helmet and safety gear when struck.

"He hopes to be released from the hospital over the weekend," Brogan said.

Meanwhile, Brogan said, Gray is promoting Lancaster to everyone he meets and in every department of the hospital where he has been taken, including the "trauma unit and the ER."

"So far he told me he's only found one person who's been here, but he tells everyone to visit and call the mayor's office when they do," Brogan said. "That tells me that, while he's obviously down, he certainly is not out."

Brogan said she and city staff are "relieved" that Gray takes safety precautions when he rides his motorcycle.

"He's very adamant about that; the helmet, gloves and the boots," she said.

Brogan does not know when Gray can return to his desk in city hall. But during his recovery, she said, the mayor expects to stay in regular contact with her, all city departments and city council.

"We want to reassure the public that the mayor has established a city government that operates efficiently, so it doesn't rely on one person," Brogan said. "We are confident that city staff will continue to provide the same level of professional service that Lancaster residents rightfully expect."

The truck driver, a 39-year-old man from Belmar, N.J., was cited by New Jersey State Police for reckless driving and failure to stop at a stop sign.

The crash scene is about 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Lancaster police Chief Keith Sadler said, "maybe "halfway between the Jersey shore and Philadelphia."

Gray's motorcycle was a total loss.

lalexander@lnpnews.com