One Dead In NJ Turnpike Fire, Some Lanes Still Closed

One person died in a dump truck fire that shut down a portion of the New Jersey Turnpike near milepost 97 for hours Tuesday, causing major traffic delays.

“We are able to confirm that there is one fatality now that rescuers have been able to enter the dump truck, according to The New Jersey State Police Facebook page. ”We will not have a name to release until the identity has been confirmed and next of kin has been notified.”

NJ.com reports the deceased person was driving the dump truck, which crashed into a tow truck, hitting the car that was being towed. The truck then lost control, overturned and hit a bridge abutment and caught fire, NJ.com reported.

The crash was reported just before 11 a.m. The Turnpike was then shut down in both directions near exit 13, causing a standstill in traffic for miles.

Northbound truck lanes reopened two hours later, NBC New York said. All southbound lanes remained closed Tuesday night.

According to NBC New York, northbound delays stretched back toward the Garden State Parkway and southbound drivers were backed up as far as Interstate 280.

Officials were concerned about the Wood Avenue overpass, which was completely engulfed in flames and smoke. It has since been inspected and reopened, NJ.com said.

PSEG workers were on the scene working on electric wires, which were hanging low near traffic lanes.

Photos 3 -6 courtesy of @Gothamcarguy via Twitter.