Major Fuel Tanker Collision Kills Driver, 'Seriously Injures' Passenger In NJ

METUCHEN, NJ — One person died and another sustained "serious injuries" following a fuel tanker collision that occurred early Sunday, NJ State Police told Patch.

At 5:53 a.m. on Sunday, troopers responded to the crash on I-287 north at milepost 1.9 in Metuchen.

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Based on a preliminary investigation, police said a Volvo tractor pulling a fuel tanker trailer was going north when a Jeep SUV struck the back of the trailer.

As a result of the crash, the Volvo tractor, the fuel tanker trailer and the Jeep all became fully engulfed in flames.

The driver of the Jeep sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger of the Jeep sustained serious injuries and was brought to an area hospital, police said.

There were no other reported injuries on scene and the names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of the families.

The crash remains under investigation by NJ State Police. No additional information was available as of Monday morning.

In an online post from Jonathan M. Busch, the mayor of Metuchen, Busch said that the crash led to the shutdown of lanes on Route 287 and that the borough has been working with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and Middlesex County Hazmat officials to track any fuel runoff from the incident.

According to Busch, none of that runoff has entered Metuchen.

"Any affected runoff areas are already being addressed by DEP crews, and officials do not expect any significant environmental impact," he said.

Busch also expressed his gratitude to members of the Metuchen Fire Department, as shortly after flames from the crash spread to the trees along I-287, firefighters positioned themselves near the business area at the end of High Street and prevented the fire from spreading further toward Metuchen.

"I truly cannot overstate how important that effort was in preventing an already very serious situation from becoming even worse for our community," Busch said.

"Thank you to all of the firefighters, police officers, EMS crews, OEM personnel, DEP and hazmat teams, and all of the mutual aid responders who continue to work this incident."

In an online post, Governor Mikie Sherrill said she's also been in touch with Busch, Edison Mayor Sam Joshi and local fire chiefs as crews responded to the I-287 fire.

"We are closely following reports of injuries as officials continue assessing the situation," Sherrill said. "Please follow guidance from the New Jersey Department of Transportation and local officials, and allow first responders the space they need to do their work safely."

"Thank you to all of the first responders who have been working for hours under difficult conditions to keep everyone safe."