Truck Hit NJ Transit Bus Before Fatal Crash, Driver IDed: Officials

CLIFTON, NJ — Officials said a commercial truck driver, who died in a fiery crash along Route 3 on Monday, had struck a New Jersey Transit bus before running into a highway wall.

Authorities said the truck was westbound when it "clipped" the bus, then crashed into the sound barrier and caught fire Monday morning.

The truck was owned by the Brenntag Company, a chemical distribution business. A Brenntag spokesperson said the trailer was carrying flammable and corrosive materials that were non-toxic, including: Acetic acid, heptane exxon, hexylene glycol, sodium xylene sulfonate, Texanol ester alcohol, acetone, triethanolamine, citric acid anhydrous, sodium hydroxide, mineral spirits, and sodium bicarbonate.

Several of the products did spill onto the roadway, and local and state officials responded to contain the spillage.

"We are thankful to the Clifton Township Police and Fire Department, New Jersey State Police and emergency agencies who responded quickly and effectively to successfully control the situation," the company said.

The collision and subsequent explosions happened near the exit for Grove Street in Clifton, melting the siding off of nearby houses and forcing some residents to evacuate.

Clifton Police and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office identified the driver as 55-year-old Luis Santiago of Linden. None of the bus passengers were reportedly injured.

Brenntag called the crash an "unfortunate accident"and said it is still too early to determine the cause.

A section of the highway, and ramps onto Route 3 from the Garden State Parkway, were closed for about 24 hours. Drivers contended with heavy traffic and had to route around road closures while authorities investigated the crash and cleared the scene.

This crash was first reported at around 9:10 a.m. Monday near Grove Street, and a passing driver took video showing walls of flame extending from the crash site.

Officials are continuing to investigate.