Tractor-trailer jackknifes, catches fire along I-80 in NJ; causing major traffic delays
HACKENSACK, N.J. (PIX11) – Two people were killed and three others were injured when a tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-80 in Hackensack, New Jersey, according to New Jersey State Police.
Only one lane of traffic was open on the westbound side of the highway during the Wednesday morning commute. The eastbound express lane was also closed.
The crash happened Tuesday around 11:43 p.m. A Toyota SUV heading eastbound in the local lanes struck the curbed median and careened into the express lanes, crashing into the tractor-trailer, according to authorities.
The tractor-trailer then hit the center concrete median and jackknifed into the westbound lanes, where a box truck and GMC SUV were driving, state police said.
The box truck crashed into the tractor-trailer and was thrown into the local lanes, where it caught fire. Two people in the box truck were killed, according to authorities.
The GMC SUV also hit the tractor-trailer. The driver of the GMC SUV sustained minor injuries, state police said.
The driver of a tractor-trailer and its passenger, both from Texas, were seriously injured and brought to an area hospital, according to authorities.
Fuel and debris spilled onto the road during the crash, according to officials. Fire crews put flame retardant on the ground.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
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