I-78 Accident: Fuel Tanker Explodes On New Jersey Highway, Sending Flames 100 Feet Into The Air


A fiery accident on I-78 in New Jersey left one person dead after a fuel tanker exploded, sending a column of flames close to 100 feet into the air.

The accident took place in Union Township, where Interstate 78 approaches the intersection with the Garden State Parkway. State Police Sergeant Gregory Williams said the I-78 accident involved two tractor trailers and an Audi. A preliminary investigation found that the driver transporting a fuel tanker may have crossed an eastbound lane, where his tractor trailer crashed and erupted in flames.

The I-78 crash led to authorities shutting down traffic lanes, as another tractor trailer and passenger vehicle blocked traffic in both directions.

One witness to the crash posted an account on Reddit, saying the crash led to chaos as other drivers tried to escape the burning fuel tanker:

i was caught in this earlier today! about 200 yards back when it happened and everyone came to a stop..

moron drivers tried to hop on the shoulder and pass everyone to get to the exit for the parkway and got caught in traffic, blocking the shoulder….and the emergency vehicles trying to get to the scene

a couple people and I got out of our cars and were straight up directing traffic out of the way so we could clear a path for them to the (closed at this point) east-bound side of 78..

was insane..

One driver was killed in the crash, and two others hospitalized, though police did not identify the driver or say which vehicle had the fatality.

I-78 Accident: Fuel Tanker Explodes On New Jersey Highway, Sending Flames 100 Feet Into The Air

Interstate 78 is one of the busiest roadways in New Jersey, a route many use to reach Newark and the New York City area.

After the I-78 accident, the plume of smoke and flames were visible for miles. Fire crews were eventually able to put out the fire and hazmat crews cleaned up close to 9,000 gallons of fuel that spilled onto the road.

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