UPDATE: Turnpike Lanes Have Reopened After Turnpike Tanker Fire At Exit 11

The New Jersey Turnpike north and southbound car and truck lanes have reopened following a tanker truck fire that forced police to shut down part of the highway Tuesday afternoon, state police said.

Exit 11 from the southbound truck lane will be closed until further notice, state police said.

The truck driver suffered burns on 90 percent of his body and was airlifted to the hospital, authorities said.

WABC reported that the driver is from Elizabeth and was brought to the burn unit at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.

The truck was carrying about 8,500 gallons of gas, WABC news reported.

The truck overturned as the driver tried to exit the highway, New Jersey State Police told MyCentralJersey.com.

At 5 p.m., the state’s traffic website was reporting a mile long delay on the outer roadway of the Turnpike southbound, exiting at Exit 10 in Edison.

Photo courtesy Samantha Massey

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