Fuel Tanker Crash Shuts I-287, Kills One After SUV Rear-Ends Vehicle

 A fiery crash involving a fuel tanker killed one person and shut down Interstate 287 northbound for most of the day Sunday as crews worked to clear the scene.

New Jersey State Police said a Jeep SUV slammed into the rear of a tanker just before 6 a.m., near the exit. Officials confirmed the crash killed one person inside the Jeep, injured a passenger, and also injured the tanker driver. One firefighter was injured as well.

The tanker was fully loaded with over 8,000 gallons of fuel, which spilled quickly between exits one and two. A worker at a nearby Shell gas station on Route 27 said flames and thick black smoke filled the air.

“It was very thick black smoke and I went there. I see the flame,” the worker said. The station was forced to close for hours. “We were closed. Nothing. We lose the whole day business.”

Officials said 150 firefighters responded to the scene. Fire departments used foam to cover the fuel and prevent the fire from spreading.

Traffic came to a standstill, backing up vehicles on Route 27 and Route One for miles. One driver described the situation as a “zoo,” adding that travel times increased significantly and navigating the area required “zigzagging” around closures.

By Sunday night, crews reopened the interstate after clearing burned debris and inspecting the roadway for damage.

The worker expressed relief that the fire had not reached the gas station. “It’s a lot of gasoline, you know, it’s almost 9,000 gallons in that truck,” he said. “If it gets fired and spilled, it can reach very easy.”

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.