1 dead, 3 hurt as tanker truck carrying 8,800 gallons of fuel ignites on I-287 in New Jersey

A tanker truck carrying over 8,000 gallons of fuel erupted into flames Sunday on I-287 in New Jersey, killing the driver of a Jeep, injuring three others, and shutting down the highway for most of the day, according to officials. 

Large orange flames burst from the truck and plumes of smoke filled the air after the crash occurred just before 6 a.m. in Metuchen, bringing traffic to a standstill on both the northbound and southbound sides near Exits 1 and 2, as well as nearby Routes 27 and 1. 

The New Jersey State Police said a Jeep traveling north struck the rear of the tanker, causing both vehicles to be fully engulfed in flames. The driver of the Jeep suffered fatal injuries. The driver of the truck, a passenger in the Jeep, and a firefighter were injured, officials said. 

The mayors of Edison and Metuchen said the tanker was carrying approximately 8,800 gallons of fuel.   

"It was a completely fully loaded tanker that lit up in flames," Edison Mayor Sam Joshi said. "The fire departments responded very quickly using foam to cover it up, making sure the fire would not spread." 

More than 150 firefighters were on the scene, with mutual aid from multiple departments, before I-287 was able to fully reopen. The southbound lanes reopened first, followed by the northbound ones after debris was cleared and the roadway was inspected for damage. 

Sadiq Sarwari works at the Shell gas station on Route 27 and said the station had to close for hours due to the crash. 

"It was very thick black smoke," Sarwari said. "We lost the whole day of business."

Officials said crews working to tow the tanker truck away from the scene had to drain any remaining fuel from it first. They said they were working closely with the State Department of Environmental Protection to track any fuel runoff. 

"Miles and miles of traffic. You had to zigzag to go through," said John Bickert, of Edison.

"Everybody getting on, getting back off. It's been a zoo," said Ted Green, of Edison.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.