NJ Route 3 accident: Driver killed after tractor-trailer explodes, catches fire in Clifton
NEW JERSEY - A truck driver died after a tractor-trailer exploded and caught fire on Route 3 in Clifton, NJ, the Passaic County Prosecutor said.
- LIVE TRAFFIC MAP: Route 3 in Clifton, NJ partially reopens after truck explosion
The incident closed lanes on the highway in both directions and forced evacuations at nearby homes on Monday morning, but by the evening authorities said that westbound Route 3 had been opened.
Authorities say that the truck crashed into a barrier, causing it to catch on fire. The body of the driver, a 55-year-old man from Linden, was discovered inside the wreckage.
The Passaic County Prosecutor said the NJ DEP and Passaic County health officials tested for chemicals in the air following the crash and found there were no airborne contaminants.
Authorities said they were also testing the water used to extinguish the flames for chemicals as well.
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Videos on X, formally Twitter, showed a large tractor-trailer on fire, with flames and smoke seen shooting up into the sky.
What happened on Route 3 today
According to the Clifton Police Department, the call came in just after 9 a.m. reporting a large commercial vehicle on fire, as well as the sound of an explosion.
Police said the first arriving officer also saw additional explosions. Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
"We’d like our Clifton customers near Routes 3 and 46 to know that we are aware that some of them may be experiencing discolored water due to a truck fire in the area. We thank Clifton first responders as they work to extinguish the fire," Passaic Valley Water Commission said in a post on X.
As of Monday morning, Route 3 was closed in both directions at Valley Road and Grove Street. The scene is near the Garden State Parkway southbound Exit ramp, Exit 153.
According to 511nj.org, "As of 10:03 a.m., there's a tractor trailer fire on NJ 3 in both directions Grove St in Clifton. All lanes closed."
NJ Route 3 accident: LIVE traffic map
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Residents evacuated will be allowed back into their homes by tonight.