New Jersey fiery crash kills 1, injures 2

A wreck on Route 78 in Union led to the death of a 24-year-old man. Two other individuals were injured in the Dec. 6 crash. Police closed the highway as authorities attempted to put out a fire caused by the collision.

Police say that a 24-year-old Chatham man was traveling along the ramp leading from the Garden State Parkway to the westbound side of Route 78 in his Audi A4. As he arrived at Route 78, reports indicate that his vehicle entered the path of a fuel tanker truck already traveling on Route 78. The tanker collided with the Audi, causing both vehicles to then crash into a tractor-trailer driving in the left lane. As the tanker came to rest on the concrete barrier on the left side of the highway, the fuel it was carrying ignited and caused both trucks to burn.

The driver of the tanker managed to escape through the windshield of the truck, and he was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The 53-year-old tractor-trailer driver was treated for his injuries and released shortly after. Emergency crews pronounced the Audi driver dead at the scene. Firefighting personnel used foam in an attempt to put out the fire stemming from 9,000 gallons of burning fuel as black smoke rose into the sky above the highway. The lanes in question were closed for most of the night as police continued their investigation into the crash.

When a wreck causes serious injury or death for one of the drivers or passengers, the driver who caused the crash may be liable for damages. An attorney with experience in handling car accident cases might be able to help by filing a lawsuit in civil court on behalf of an injured driver.

Source: NJ.com, “Chatham man killed in fiery Route 78 crash, trucker critically injured“, Noah Cohen and Jessica Remo, December 06, 2014